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NY Giants 3 Key Matchups vs Arizona Cardinals.

By Danny Friedman

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Running back Wayne Gallman #22 of the New York Giants rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Running back Wayne Gallman #22 of the New York Giants rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Markus Golden #44 of the New York Giants (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Markus Golden #44 of the New York Giants (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Matchup #2: Andrew Thomas (OT) and Cameron Fleming (OT) vs Markus Golden (OLB) and Devon Kennard (OLB)

The NY Giants tackles’ will see some ex-Giants off the edge this week.

Andrew Thomas and Cameron Fleming must come ready, prepared, and eager for a fight. On the other side of the ball, Markus Golden and Devon Kennard return to MetLife this time as opponents of the NY Giants.

Kennard got his revenge last season on the Giants, taking a Jones fumble back to the house for a defensive touchdown. This was as a member of the Detroit Lions, who made Kennard a surprise cut this past offseason. He latched on with Arizona and got off to a hot start, racking up two sacks in his first three games. Since then, his playing time and production have both decreased but you can be sure he’ll be fired up for this one.

Markus Golden had quite the calendar year in 2020. Between having a resurgent 2019 season and racking up double-digit sacks for the first time since 2016, to not getting a long-term or hefty short-term deal he expected, to resigning with the Giants on a one-year deal after a smartly-used UFA tender on his services, to playing the first seven weeks with New York, to then getting traded back to his original team back in Arizona.

In summary, it’s been a whirlwind for Golden since the start of 2019.

Golden was one of the main Giants’ pass-rushers this year and he was one of the key cogs returning from the 2019 team. He never found his footing in the new Pat Graham-led scheme and he struggled to find snaps or make any meaningful contributions. He was traded for a 2021 6th round pick after the team’s Thursday Night Football loss in Philadelphia.

Since returning to Arizona, Golden has seen his playing time go up significantly. He also racked up his first sack as a Cardinal since 2018 in his first game back with his original squad. Golden is a well-respected veteran who’s known for his hard-working attitude and relentless effort on every snap. He isn’t the flashiest or quickest guy but he just knows how to make plays and cause disruption off the edge. You can be sure he’ll be motivated to prove to the Giants he can still play and they made a mistake trading him.

Stopping them will be a huge task and a huge part of the offensive gameplan for NY to succeed offensively this week. The Arizona defense isn’t scaring anyone right now and they’ve had their fair share of difficulties all season long. Both Thomas and Fleming have stepped their games up dramatically in recent weeks and their improved play needs to continue in Week 14.

This matchup features three veterans and one rookie. The rookie has looked really good as of late and hasn’t let up a sack or pressure in multiple weeks now. Kennard and Golden will look to break that streak and make their impact felt in their old home stadium.

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