Week 8: Key Matchups And What To watch For vs New York Giants
At 1-6, the Giants look like the perfect “trap game” for the BUCS.
On paper, it’s David(Daniel) vs Goliath. And it shouldn’t be close. But bad things happen to good people and everyone has to be taken seriously. Just look at the Vikings vs Packers.
Furthermore, just go back and look at the 2nd half meltdown from last year’s game and you’ll get the picture completely. That’s why this game is considered a “revenge game” by some.
I’d call it a redemption game.
The BUCS coaches played themselves in that game. They played not to lose in the 2nd half of the game rather than to win. And funny enough, that’s how this year’s Team lost to Chicago. Here’s to hoping Arians and/or Leftwich learned the lesson(again).
Can’t Run Away
Daniel Jones is their leading rusher(yards). And their number 2 guy, Devonte Freeman, is out this week.This doesn’t bode well for the boys in blue going against the #1 run defense in the League.
Weirdly enough, New York was without Saquon Barkley last season when the Jones became the number one run threat in that game. He only had 28 yards rushing. But he had 2 TDs including that back-breaking scramble in the last 2mins.
Containing him as a runner shouldn’t be much of an issue. It’s the absolute breaking down in the passing game that led to his scrambles.
While he’s no Lamar Jackson, he’s quick to take off if there’s a slight opening in the middle of the field.
Jones does have a tendency to scramble to the right side of the field more though. His biggest gains, including 80 yard sprint-turned-stumble last week, have come from the right side of the field. So, watch for Shaquille Barrett to get a couple sacks tonight if/when Pierre-Paul flushes him out..
Daniel Jones Scramble/Rushing Direction 2020
Wayne Gallman, the other active rushing threat has a season high of 45 yards rushing. Not much of a threat there. At least,not on paper.
Still, the BUCS can’t rest on their laurels here.
And there’s no reason to believe that would be the case.
Don’t Get Caught
The Giants have gone over 250 passing yards just once this season. The BUCS have allowed it 3 times. Although, against much tougher competition(LV,LAC,CAR).
In the last game, the defense played a lot of zone coverage often passing off receivers which led to some confusion. Todd Bowles has shaken things up this year. The matchups are gonna be interesting here.
I expect to see Carlton Davis III shadowing 2nd year WR Darius Slayton. Slayton leads the Giants in yards(429) and receptions(27) so far. And Davis has been routinely tasked with covering the best WR on opposing teams this year. I don’t expect that to change. I hope that doesn’t change. Please, don’t let that change.
Both Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard eclipsed the 100 yard mark in that 2019 game.
Shepard played primarily in the slot in that game. And he continues to do so nowadays as well(38% of snaps in the slot). He’ll most likely be met by Murphy-Bunting who has come under fire for not being as highly rated or ranked as his contemporaries. I feel like SMB is gonna have his shot to quiet lots of the “liability” talk tonight against a damn good receiver in Shepard though.
Murphy-Bunting replaced both Vernon Hargreaves and MJ Stewart, the two guys Shepard got all 7 of his receptions on against the BUCS last season. He’ll need to stay on task and not get caught up though. At his most questionable, he’s made the same mistakes as both those guys. But I’m looking for him to make a statement in this one.
Evan Engram has had a pretty volatile season so far. As talented as he may be, he hasn’t been consistent and he’s dropped some big plays. He’s got 5 drops on the season. Yet, he’s still a threat. This year, he’s been held out of the end zone as a receiver. He’s also been relegated to shorter passes. He’s averaging about 5 yards per target. He’s being used similar to the way Darren Waller is in Las Vegas.
He’ll probably get defended in the same fashion as well. And Barrett may end up dropping back in coverage a little more than most of us would like. Still, I fully expect Barrett to come out of this one with at least one sack due to Jones’ tendency to run to his right.
Jamel Dean’s assignment may be the most curious going into the game. He could see himself across from Golden Tate just as much as he could see Shepard. He’s got enough speed for both. But I think he takes Tate for the majority of the night when they go into man coverage.
PAY ATTENTIOn
On offense, we’ll be seeing the BUCS take on the 3rd biggest challenge faced this season. It’s easy to dismiss the defense due to how bad the record is. That’s if you don’t pay attention. Very much like what the BUCS have faced last year and in previous seasons.
The Giants defense is definitely formidable. They’re ranked 14th in points allowed.
Arians and Leftwich have lots of options to work with. But, they’re gonna be tested. And they’ve outsmarted themselves in both of the losses so far this season. This could also be another showcase for the Offense.
Last week, the BUCS Offense did exactly what it was supposed to do against a relatively weak Raiders defense. It’s gonna be a different challenge against the Giants though.
New York has been more than solid against the run. They’re a Top 10 unit there. Tonight would be a great time to see the play calling tendencies switch up and lead more drives with passes to open up the run game for Jones and Fournette.
Even without Godwin, there should be mismatches to exploit the BUCS’ favour.
While James Bradberry and Logan Ryan are damn good CBs, there’s just not enough quality defenders in that secondary to account for all the targets available to Tom Brady. I’m looking for the continuing emergence of Tyler Johnson to be highlighted tonight with Godwin’s absence. He’ll likely draw Ryan Lewis in coverage which would leave Miller to do what he does against the CB3 and get upfield where either Logan Ryan or Jabrill Peppers will have have to keep an eye out for him.
This leaves the middle of the field open to Gronkowski and/or Brate.
While the run game shouldn’t be forced, it most definitely cannot be left alone. Not with the talent of both Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette.
Both guys should get opportunities. But it all depends on how what the pass game does to slow down the Giants’ all-in attempts to stop the run.
This is where good coaching SHOULD come into play.
X-Factor: Offense
Rob Gronkowski/TE Group
With the NYG secondary being tied up with Evans, Miller and Johnson, I think the TE group can be set for a big night. They could actually set the tone by drawing the LBs away from being able to help defend the run.
X-Factor: Defense
Jason Pierre-Paul
Pierre-Paul may be the guy to get multiple sacks in this one. Or he may be the guy to cause them by flushing out Daniel Jones. If/when he gets going, it could open a proverbial can of worms for the NY offense.
Plus, the Pierre-Paul will be wearing the new red uniform for the first time in game..
Jason Takes New Jersey.
BOLD Play Prediction
3 Turnovers For The Defense Including 1 INT for Sean Murphy-Bunting
Earlier, I made the reference on how the Giants offense causes its defense to be overlooked. Kinda like how the BUCS were for the last few years. Well, their offense is 28th in turnovers. If/when they get down early, the turnovers will soon follow.
On the strength of the Defense, this should be a win. But it’s far from a given.
“That’s why they play the game”.
Never Forget….
