NY Giants Week 6: 5 X-factors to beat Washington

X-factor #1: Andrew Thomas

Andrew Thomas has had to face more than his fair share of pass rushers to start his NFL career. Being an All-American tackle in the SEC with the Georgia Bulldogs hasn’t been as easy in the NFL.

Pro Football Focus has Thomas ranked as the 63rd out of 72 offensive tackle with an overall grade of just 57, a pass-block grade of 47.4, and a run-blocking grade of 56.9. Simply put, Thomas has to do a better job protecting Daniel Jones’ blindside.

The job doesn’t get any easier this week for Thomas. He faces a Washington front seven that boasts different threats coming off the edge and in the interior. The most anticipated NY Giants’ specific individual matchup all season has to be Andrew Thomas vs Chase Young.

The Giants infamously beat Washington last December to drop two spots in the NFL Draft order, allowing Washington to jump them in Week 16. Big Blue missed out on a blue-chip prospect at one of the game’s most important positions that happens to be one of NY’s most glaring needs.

Andrew Thomas must prove he can handle oncoming blitzes and hold down the edge. He struggled a lot in Week 5, it won’t get any easier this week.