It’s been a long time since the New York Giants fanbase has had this much hope and excitement. Coming off a 28-20 win over division rivals Dallas Cowboys, everything fans and analysts thought about John Harbaugh has come true. It was one of the Giants’ best-played games in years.
They executed well, tackled better than they had, and made minimal mistakes. They also had a second-half game plan that kept the Cowboys’ offense off the field for most of the half. You could not ask for a better first impression if you were John Harbaugh.
But the Giants have a big test ahead on Monday Night Football as they travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams. The Rams are looking to prove the offseason hype was right after getting crushed 27-7 in Australia. It is a chance for the Giants to show Week 1 wasn’t a fluke and that they’re a real threat in the NFC. Here are three things to watch out for.
Can the Giants’ Pass Rush Finish the Job?
One of the biggest reasons the Giants beat Dallas was their pass rush. It felt like they pressured Dak Prescott on nearly every play and never let him get comfortable. That pressure led to mistakes and forced throws he otherwise wouldn’t have.
However, while it felt like the Giants created pressure, they did not record a single sack in the victory. A surprising stat, considering how much impact the group had during the game. You don’t see that often in today’s game.
While the focus should be on making Matthew Stafford just as uncomfortable as Prescott, it would be nice for the Giants to record at least one sack. It will just end an unnecessary narrative before it begins. It will also be nice to get to Stafford rather than Prescott.
While he’s not known for his rushing ability, Prescott has enough mobility to scramble away from pressure. Stafford is as mobile as a statue. Once the pass rushers get into the backfield, they will not have to worry about Stafford getting away. Making it easier to get the sack.
What Will the Snap Count Be Among the Running Backs?
While much of the talk from the offense has been about Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely, the running game was a big part of the offense. They gained 165 yards on the ground and helped create the long drives that kept the Cowboys offense on the sideline.
Cam Skattebo led the way with 18 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. However, the backs behind him are the question mark. This week it was Delvin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy, with Najee Harris being inactive. But Tracy made another mistake with a fumble that cost the Giants a score.
This is another mistake in Tracy’s growing list of mess-ups. He was terrible during training camp and preseason. He had a misblock that almost led to Jaxson Dart getting hurt and a costly fumble against Miami. If the Giants want to beat the Rams, they’ll have to play a perfect game. They cannot make mistakes or leave points on the board. That’s why Tracy needs to be inactive this week, and Harris has to be the third-string back. You’re not giving up on Tracy, but you’re holding him accountable and showing that his play hasn’t earned him a spot.
Who Will Be Playing Corner?
One reason the Giants beat the Cowboys last week was their ability to hold CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in check. Sure, some lucky drops went the Giants’ way, but they kept these two from taking over the game. They didn’t have any explosive plays that helped shift momentum in the Giants’ favor.
In fact, Dallas’s biggest gains came from Giants penalties. While they weren’t perfect, a lot of credit has to go to Greg Newsome and Deonte Banks for playing a solid game. If they played like that, they should be able to keep the Rams in check.
But the problem is, we don’t know who will be on the field for the Giants. Banks was limited in practice on Friday with a calf injury, and his status for Monday is up in the air. Newsome was also dealing with a rib injury, but he is expected to go. Even the depth is in question, as the Giants placed Paulson Adebo on the IR with a knee injury.
There is a real possibility that the top three corners for the Giants will not be able to suit up on Friday. That will put a lot of pressure on guys like Dru Phillips and Colton Hood to step up.
