The NY Giants aim to complete the season sweep of Washington Football Team, with the cloud of uncertainty hovering over wide receiver Golden Tate’s future
There’s a chance that the NY Giants’ offense, and Daniel Jones’ supporting cast could look much different Sunday against the Washington Football Team than the one that took the field in a 19-17 Week 6 win.
Golden Tate’s availability remains uncertain after NY Giants head coach Joe Judge left the door open to the veteran receiver being inactive as punishment during a tumultuous week, more on that later, which could lead to a new receiver in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ defense looks to bounce back from two consecutive second half collapses in close losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Will this be the week the Giants put together a complete four quarters of complementary football? Or will Washington’s defense prove too tough to surrender a season sweep against the NFC East rivals?
Scroll through for four bold predictions for Sunday’s game:
Giants activate Corey Coleman, and he plays more snaps than Golden Tate
This has been a contentious week for Golden Tate and the Giants.
So long as we’re making bold predictions, let’s get a little weird.
There’s a legitimate chance that he is among the inactives Sunday, as punishment for screaming “Throw me the ball” after catching a touchdown and his wife posting an inflammatory message on Instagram criticizing his lack of playing time and targets.
When the Giants signed wide receiver Corey Coleman to the practice squad last week, some believed it was in advance of a possible trade deadline deal involving Golden Tate. That obviously didn’t happen.
However, after head coach Joe Judge was noncommittal to playing Sunday, there’s a possibility Coleman could be activated from the practice squad and promoted to the game day roster. If that happens, even if Tate is active, I’d be surprised if Coleman doesn’t play more than 39 snaps per game that Tate is averaging.
Daniel Jones finally plays a turnover free game
I know if you’ve been a frequent reader of this space that this one feels like a broken record, but something about Sunday feels like the day Daniel Jones clears his biggest hurdle.
The last time these teams met, Daniel Jones threw one interception, while passing for 112 yards and a touchdown, while adding 74 rushing yards on seven attempts.
Washington has intercepted eight passes through eight weeks, but opposing quarterbacks have an 85.7 passer rating against them.
After a week of outside criticism and internal skepticism over Jones’ inability to protect the football after a disastrous two-interception performance in Monday night’s loss to the Buccaneers, this feels like the game that Jones finally gets it right and escapes without turning it over.
Chase Young produces two-plus sacks
Chase Young has not had a multi-sack game since his NFL debut against the Eagles back in Week 1, when he sacked Carson Wentz 1.5 times. Sunday feels like the second time the No. 2 pick in April’s draft reaches that mark.
Granted, while Washington’s front isn’t nearly as dominant as the Buccaneers’ swarming defensive line and linebacking corps, Young and Ryan Kerrigan are a formidable pass-rush duo in their own right.
While Andrew Thomas has improved marginally in recent weeks, according to Pro Football Focus he has allowed 40 pressures and five sacks. I’d expect Washington to plant Young opposite Thomas for most of the game which could be an unfavorable matchup for the Giants.
Neither team rushes for 100 yards
The last time these two teams met, Jones produced for 74 of the Giants’ 132 rushing yards and Washington only managed 86 yards on the ground, I think the running game could be even less productive on Sunday.
Granted, Washington rookie Antonio Gibson rushed for a career-high 128 yards against the Cowboys his last time out, but the Giants are holding opponents to just 102 yards rushing per game.
Between the Giants’ rather dominant rushing defense and Devonta Freeman being out, this feels like the type of game where neither team will be able to get much going on the ground. I don’t think either team eclipses 100 rushing yards.
Score pick
The combination of a short week and it being a bit of a tumultuous week with wide receiver Golden Tate demoted to scout team in practice, after being told to skip Wednesday’s walkthrough, makes me think Sunday could be a slog for the Giants.
Monday night might have been the most creative gameplan that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett put together this season, the defense held for the better part of three quarters, but ultimately Tom Brady led yet another comeback and the Buccaneers proved they are able to win ugly, while the Giants once again showed they don’t don’t know how to close.
Washington’s riding high after a win over the Cowboys two weeks ago, Kyle Allen is coming into his own at quarterback, and the defense seems to be gaining confidence. The first meeting between these teams was decided by a Giants’ defensive score and stopping a Washington two-point conversion. This game feels like it will be just as tight, and just as low-scoring.
Prediction:
Washington 16, Giants 13
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.