By Michael Stewart@TheTruthNYG
The New York Giants snapped a 4 game losing streak with a solid effort against the Washington Commanders 14-7. At 2-5 the Giants must continue their winning ways against the New York Jets who are coming off their bye week fully rested and also in the playoff hunt with a 3-3 record. More importantly, this game signifies bragging rights in New York. There’s no question that this game will be full of passion and intensity between two team’s looking to claim supremacy. Here are my top 3 ways the Giants could win or lose on Sunday.
Top 3 ways the Giants could win
- Offensive Line Stands Tall: The Giants offensive line must neutralize the Jets defensive line and minimize the damage. The Giants don’t need to dominant in the trenches, but they do need match the same intensity and limit the penalties. If the Giants offensive line struggles, so will the Giants.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Giants managed to score a touchdown in the red zone against the Commanders, which was vital to their victory. Against the Jets, the Giants success rate will be limited in the red zone with opportunity and execution. This category in my opinion will be a key factor in the outcome of this game.
- Defensive Encore: The Giants defensive unit is not at all equal to the Jets defensive unit, but they do need to match the same intensity and urgency if they want to walk away with a victory. Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden have been lights out along with the dynamic duo of Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. The Giants secondary also needs to play solid defense especially against Garrett Wilson who is the Jets most lethal offensive weapon in the passing game.
Top 3 ways the Giants could lose
- Defensive Dominance: Expect the Jets to throw a series of blitzes packages at Tyrod Taylor and force him into mental mistakes. The Jets defense is solid at all three levels, and it will be on display at full throttle. The Jets are solid in both run and pass defense and if they dominant this game, the Giants will be hard pressed to score any points.
- Rushing Attack: The Jets running attack of Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook and Michael Carter could present a challenge for the Giants defensive front 7. If so, this will give QB Zach Wilson ample opportunity to make some plays downfield. If the Giants allow the Jets to control the line of scrimmage in the running game, their chances of winning will be diminished.
- Takeaway/Givaways: The Giants have been better in the takeaway/giveaway category over the last few games and this need to continue if they have any chance of the winning. The Giants offensive, especially against this Jets defense will need any and every break possible to give them a chance.
Currently the Jets are three-point favorites and the over/under are sitting at 35.5 points. Over the last four meetings, both teams have both won two games with the Jets winning the last meeting 34-27. The Giants will be tested by a very talented defensive team who are arguably the best unit they have faced thus far this season. Points will be hard to come by for both teams if both defenses show up and this game could boil down to red zone efficiency and the turnover department.