The NY Giants face a familiar foe this weekend when they take on the Dallas Cowboys. There will be several players who must step up for Big Blue to pull off an upset. Let’s break down some players that will make-or-break this game for the GMen.
The NY Giants are yet again in deadman’s land after starting 0-4 for the second time in four years. These dreadful starts are ending the Giants’ season in October every year and eventually, something has to give.
Joe Judge must have his team ready and prepared for a 60-minute battle with a divisional opponent. It’s been far too long that the Cowboys have beaten the NY Giants. However, this Dallas team is certainly flawed.
Dallas comes in as the 9.5-point favorite and they are desperate to save their season with Mike McCarthy in his first season as Jerry Jones’ Head Coach. They are the more talented team and will be looking to continue their six-game winning streak against the NY Giants.
Big Blue is looking forward to going on the road and finally playing in front of fans for the first time this year.
Joe Judge said,
"“It’s exciting, I think there is a part of football that obviously we all want fans there. There is a different kind of energy at home and away, but both energies really add to the atmosphere and add to the environment. I’m looking forward to playing Dallas this week and the bonus that there will be fans there as well. That’s just added incentive.”"
Both teams should come in playing with urgency to get ahold of their season and start the new decade off on a better track. Take look at the 3 Giants that will be key X-factors for Sunday’s game.
X-factor #1: James Bradberry
The NY Giants will call on James Bradberry for a huge task in a pivotal game this week. He will likely follow Amari Cooper.
This is an enormous ask for Bradberry, as Cooper has been off to a scorching start. Cooper has 37 catches, 401 yards, and a touchdown in four games. Cooper’s per-game numbers of 9.25 catches per game and100 yards per game must be in the back of the NY Giants’ defense at all times. He is an all-around threat on the outside and in the slot in Dallas’ offense with the ability to score with any touch.
Bradberry has also gotten off to a great start to 2020. He was the team’s most-expensive free agent signing this offseason and has lived up to the billing of being a true #1 cornerback.
His numbers back up his impressive game film so far, with one interception, nine pass deflections, and one forced and recovered fumble (both occurred separately). He has been the only steady presence in the Giants’ carousel ride in the secondary.
I expect Bradberry to follow Cooper for the majority of the game. There simply isn’t any other corner on the Giants who can matchup with Cooper for an extended period of time. Both players matchup evenly, with Bradberry at 6’1, 212 pounds and Cooper at 6’1, 210 pounds.
Bradberry must have another big game for Big Blue in order for the defense to stay afloat. This matchup will certainly be one of this game’s best matchups and it will be interesting to see #24 against another top-flight receiver.
X-factor #2: Evan Engram
Only time will tell if Evan Engram will ever be the tight end that NY Giants’ fans hope for. It’s become a cyclic pattern where the tantalizing, talented tight end has been hyped up game after game, week after week and then not produce and live up to the hype.
Engram has not been the difference-maker in this NY Giants’ offense that many hoped for. Evan has struggled with drops, getting open, and consistently blocking on pass or run attempts. There is no hiding anymore that Engram’s lack of production is a major issue as his inconsistency (along with the rest of the offense’s weapons).
Its can’t be stated enough what Engram *should* bring to the table. There aren’t 6’3, 240 lb tight ends who can run a 4.43 and can jump 36 inches high growing on trees. On paper, this sounds like a freakish athlete, who should be a mismatch nightmare for opposing linebackers and safeties to compete with.
It remains to be seen if it’s a matter of the pass protection, Daniel Jones missing throws, a struggling weekly game plan and offensive scheme, or Engram’s inability to produce and make plays on his own.
Engram faces another favorable matchup this week. The Cowboys defense has struggled with teams’ tight ends this year. According to CBS Sports, Dallas has allowed touchdowns to tight ends the last three straight weeks along with letting up 65 or more yards from the position group each week.
Dallas has allowed touchdowns to tight ends the last three straight weeks along with letting up 65 or more yards from the position group each week.
Dallas is missing their two stud linebackers this week. Evan Engram must take advantage of this for the NY Giants to have a successful and sustainable offense this week. Engram is one of the team’s best weapons and it’s time he show sit and plays like it.
X-factor #3: Markus Golden
One more NY Giant who needs to step up this week is Markus Golden. Golden is still looking to build off last year’s 10.5 sacks, becoming the team’s first linebacker to do so since the Great Lawrence Taylor.
Golden’s slow start to 2020 is more about his lack of snaps than anything else. Golden has only played a third of the defense’s snaps in one game this year, seeing 22 snaps in Week 1. He also saw 23 snaps in Week 3. His snaps dropped from 22 to 15 in Week 2 and then dropped from 23 snaps to a measly seven snaps against the Rams.
This HAS to change.
Golden is the team’s most accomplished and proven pass rusher and this dates immediately back to last year. His lack of playing time has been one of the more puzzling smaller storylines surrounding this team.
Golden was a consistent pass rusher last year and had a constant presence in opposing backfields’ for several consecutive weeks. He needs more snaps to get into a rhythm and get a better idea of the offensive linemen he’s going up against and feel out the game and see how they counter and react to his pass rush moves and combinations.
Fortunately for NY and Golden, the Cowboys’ once-vaunted offensive line is no longer the dominant, bulldozing unit it once was. The Boys come into this week banged up severely on the line, as they will be down their starting two tackles and center to start the year. All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith joined fellow tackle La’el Collins on the IR with a season-ending neck injury that will require surgery.
Markus Golden needs to feast on the opportunity given to him and be in the backfield all game long. Golden will face inexperienced, backup tackles on the edges and should have several opportunities to get home with a sack. The NY Giants better hope Markus answers the call to continue what’s been a surprisingly solid pass rush to begin the year.