The New York Giants are in the win column after beating the Cleveland Browns 21-15 this past Sunday. It’s safe to assume everyone thought this was going to be a blowout the other way after the Giants fumbled the opening kickoff and the Browns scored on the first play from scrimmage. However, the defense stood tall, the offense made plays and the G-Men are 1-2.
Now, on a short week, the Giants take on the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. A win could put them in a tie for the most wins in the division, but it will be no easy task. The Cowboys have had the Giants’ number for a decade. Hopefully, some members of Big Blue step up big time to change that narrative.
4. K Greg Joseph
The Giants have essentially not had a kicking game for the past two weeks. Graham Gano was injured in Week 2 and there was no backup plan. Greg Joseph was brought in for Week 3 and he missed his only field goal attempt. The 48-yarder that went wide right would have iced the game, but the G-Men we know and love always like to keep things interesting. Daboll has announced Joseph will remain the kicker for Week 4, and he needs the knock off rust quickly.
Given the NY struggles against Dallas, there is no question having a kicking game is going to be important. Joseph doesn’t need to go bar for bar with Brandon Aubrey (not many can), but he needs to answer the bell when called upon. Joseph is a career 82 percent field goal kicker and seemingly automatic from inside 40 yards. If Joseph can expand his range and get the Giants on the scoreboard consistently, it could go a long way this week and even beyond.
3. RT Jermaine Eluemunor
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Giants’ offensive line hasn’t been the subject of criticism through the first three weeks. After a below average showing in Week 1, the unit has been solid in games against Washington and Cleveland. Offseason acquisition Jermaine Eluemunor is a big reason for that. Eluemunor took over for Evan Neal at right tackle and he hasn’t looked back.
He hasn’t lost a snap against the rush so far and has helped solidify the right side of the line. The impressive start will be put to the test on Thursday when he goes up against Micah Parsons. Andrew Thomas is going to be able to hold his own on the left side of the line, so Parsons and the Cowboys will probably look to take advantage of Eluemunor.
It’s a tall task blocking one of the best edge-rushers in the game, but if Eluemunor can keepDaniel Jones protected, it could mark a true new beginning for this offensive line unit.
2. QB Daniel Jones
The Daniel Jones Era for the Giants took an interesting turn the past couple of weeks. Jones has looked a lot more comfortable all around and is playing some good football. Yes, Malik Nabers is absolutely helping, but it’s nice to see the guy under center have some confidence. In the past two games combined, he’s thrown for more than 400 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Plus he has at least a 100 rating in each of those games. Jones will need to carry that confidence with him going into Thursday night. The Cowboys have owned the Giants for years, but they really own Jones. Jones is 1-7 against the Cowboys in his career.
He averages 163YDs/0.5TDs/0.6INTs in those games. All that plus you add in his 1-12 primetime record (0-4 on TNF and the task just got a whole lot tougher. Should the Giants want any chance of winning this game, Jones is going to need to exercise some demons when Dallas comes to town.
1. CB Deonte Banks
The defense is what helped the Giants come away victorious on Sunday, but it was in no way because of Deonte Banks. Banks had a rough outing against Amari Cooper, allowing two touchdowns. It wasn’t just allowing the touchdowns, but also how they were let up. Cooper bodied Banks on the first one and then lulled him to sleep on the second.
Banks truly had to attend Amari Cooper University on Sunday and he’s lucky it didn’t cost them the game. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get easier for Banks on Thursday. He’s going up against one of, if not, the best receivers in the game in CeeDee Lamb. If there were ever a time for Banks to shut up the critics, it would be now.
If he can find a way to somehow shut down Lamb or at least make him not as big of a factor, it will not only potentially help the Giants win, but also be huge for Banks’ confidence. Dallas is going to come out firing on Thursday, and Banks needs to be the shutdown corner Joe Schoen and Co. drafted him to be.
Leave a Reply