Big Blue Is Ready To Take On Green Bay
The New York Football Giants return home to the Meadowlands for Week 11, where they will take on the Green Bay Packers. The Giants enter the matchup with major organizational changes already underway. That being said, the Giants have a lot of changes happening as is before they take on this matchup. With Brian Daboll out as head coach and Mike Kafka stepping in, there may be both strengths and weaknesses that were not present before. The Giants currently sit at 2-8 with no realistic chance of reaching the postseason. The Packers, on the other hand, hold a 5-3 record, yet the Giants still have a chance to compete at home if they can execute cleanly. Here are a few key areas to watch this week.
The Giants Quarterback Room
For the third time in several seasons, the Giants have made significant changes at quarterback. During last week's matchup against the Bears in Chicago, the Giants' starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, was ruled out with a concussion. He did not pass protocol and has not practiced at all this past week. Kafka made the decision to move around his quarterbacks after the release of Daboll. They are not planning on starting Russell Wilson, has been moved down to third string, and the Giants will start Jameis Winston, whom the Giants signed to their roster at the start of the season.
The last full look fans had at Winston came during the preseason. He will hold the starting role only until Dart returns, and after that he is expected to remain the backup through next season. Winston brings experience and stability, having thrown 24,255 yards over his ten year NFL Career and scored 154 touchdowns in that time. This former pro-bowler has spent most of this season on the sidelines but understands the system well. He will also serve as a mentor for Dart during this stretch.
The Giants Offense and The Packers Defense
The Giants have a capable offensive line when healthy, although injuries have forced constant adjustments this season. In last week’s performance, wide receiver Darius Slayton had a great week on the field. The only other person the Giants have to look at on the field in Wan’Dale Robinson, who is more than capable of making the plays. When both receivers are utilized properly, the Giants should not struggle to move the ball.
However, the Packers have made some serious upgrades to their defensive line this season. When they took offensive linebacker Micah Parsons onto their roster from the Dallas Cowboys. Parsons has managed to bulldoze over players and get to the people that he wants to. At the moment, he has had six and a half tackles over the course of the nine games that he has played with this team. Winston may need to watch himself during this game and find his targets.
The Defensive Line Needs To Get It Together
The defensive line has been the most difficult part of the Giants season to evaluate. They began the year strong but have struggled to maintain consistency. Edge rusher Brian Burns has been one of the few bright spots, consistently generating pressure and holding his ground in run defense. The Packers offensive line has dealt with injuries throughout the season, and their yards per carry numbers have been modest. This matchup may allow the Giants defense to settle in, create more pressure, and possibly even force turnovers. With a weakened Green Bay offensive front, the Giants have a real opportunity to make defensive plays that have been missing in recent weeks.
