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New York Giants: Players Who Need To Step Up Against Detroit Lions

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) greets New York Giants offensive guard Justin Pugh (67) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) greets New York Giants offensive guard Justin Pugh (67) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (74) during the third quarter between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (74) during the third quarter between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ereck Flowers

Justin Pugh could have the greatest performance of his career, but it won’t mean much if Ereck Flowers doesn’t show up. Many have hypothesized why Flowers has struggled so severely in 2016, but the why is becoming irrelevant.

Selected at No. 9 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Flowers has a chance to silence his critics by helping the New York Giants secure win No. 10.

Ezekiel Ansah and Kerry Hyder are two high-quality pass-rushers who can apply pressure to Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Ansah isn’t as much of a sack machine as he was in 2016, but he still knows how to disrupt a passing attack.

If Flowers continues to struggle to protect the quarterback, Ansah could add a couple of sacks to his resume on December 18.

Ansah may not have a sack in 2016, but he’s been playing through an ankle injury that’s limited his mobility. He’s still the player who recorded 14.5 sacks in 2015, however, and he’s still making his presence known as he approaches 100 percent.

If Flowers takes this matchup lightly, Ansah will light him up and make Manning and the Giants search for ice on a cold winter day.

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