For the primary time in too lengthy, the Giants come rolling out of their bye week seeing open roads forward. They’re 6-2 and all issues are doable as they embark on the second half of what has been a remarkably resurgent season, with normal supervisor Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll off to flying begins of their new roles.
There may be all the time the hazard of potholes and detours alongside the pathway. Listed here are 4 noteworthy obstacles for the Giants to be careful for:
Lengthy division
It’s about to get busy within the neighborhood. The Giants may have performed just one NFC East opponent within the first 11 weeks of the season earlier than a vital stretch of 4 consecutive video games within the division, making it much more crucial to fatten up at dwelling the following two weeks in opposition to the Dregs Duo (Texans at 1-6-1 and Lions at 2-6) arriving at MetLife Stadium.
The NFC East owns one of the best mixed report (24-9) within the league and claims the NFL’s lone undefeated workforce (Eagles). The one division with extra successful groups than the NFC East (three out of 4) is the AFC East (4 out of 4). The Giants are 0-1 within the division, dropping to the Cowboys 23-16 in Week 3. On condition that the rematch comes on Thanksgiving in Dallas and that they need to play the Eagles twice, this figures to be fairly a gauntlet.
For the reason that begin of the 2017 season, the Giants are 9-22 of their division. That is one more alternative for Daboll and Co. to separate themselves from previous regimes.
Unfamiliar faces
Can the unheralded contributors hold it going? The Giants wouldn’t be the place they’re with out manufacturing from gamers who weren’t with the workforce in coaching camp. They lead the NFL with 12 gamers who arrived in September or later to obtain snaps on offense or protection.
Consider cornerback Fabian Moreau because the headliner right here, and likewise linebacker Jaylon Smith and offensive sort out Tyre Phillips and cornerback Nick McCloud. Credit score the gamers for acclimating shortly and to the teaching employees for the additional hours wanted to get these guys on top of things. And credit score director of participant personnel Tim McDonnell and assistant director of participant personnel Dennis Hickey for scouting and recommending these gamers.
“A whole lot of these guys have performed successful soccer for us,’’ Schoen stated. “The professional scouting employees has finished a fantastic job as properly figuring out these gamers, upgrading the observe squad and people gamers have stuffed in admirably and helped us get to the place we’re.’’
Hit the sack
Warning: Daniel Jones can not proceed to hit the bottom as usually as he did within the first half of the season. He was sacked 25 instances in eight video games and solely three quarterbacks have been dropped extra usually: Justin Fields (33), Joe Burrow (30) and Matthew Stafford (28). Solely Fields (17 p.c) has been sacked extra regularly than Jones (sacked on 11 p.c of his go makes an attempt).
At this tempo, Jones will probably be sacked 53 instances this season. Essentially the most Eli Manning was sacked in 16 years was 47 in 2018. The final time a Giants quarterback was sacked greater than 53 instances was Phil Simms in 1984 (55). Sacks result in misplaced yards, ruined possessions and enormously improve the chance of turnovers, a failing Jones has dramatically diminished this season. Many of those sacks might be traced again to Jones holding the ball trying to find receivers who’re unable to get open. The offensive line has principally held up, however accidents to rookie proper sort out Evan Neal and left guard Ben Bredeson compromised the continuity of the group.
Get properly quickly
The beautiful information that security Xavier McKinney will miss at the least 4 video games after breaking his hand on a sight-seeing tour in Cabo was the precise reverse of what the Giants want as they return to work. They have been one of the vital injury-ravaged groups in September and October, making their successful methods much more shocking.
The Giants on Monday designated guard Shane Lemieux to return to observe, beginning the 21-day clock to both activate him or hold him on IR. Cornerback Aaron Robinson can be eligible to return off injured reserve and he and Lemieux might ultimately emerge as a starter.
Sort out Matt Peart and cornerback Rodarius Williams have returned to observe and might be again quickly. Receiver Kenny Golladay would possibly play in opposition to the Texans and it will likely be fascinating to see if he has something to supply to a place group that wants an infusion of expertise. Neal, outdoors linebacker Oshane Ximines and rookie cornerback Cor’Dale Flott are anticipated to return and there’s hope tight finish Daniel Bellinger will probably be again from his eye surgical procedure someday this month. A key will probably be how a lot outdoors linebacker Azeez Ojulari, having a misplaced second season, will be capable of add. He’s eligible to return off injured reserve to face the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
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