Following the NY Giants upset victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, the team is looking to have a repeat performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. In order for that to happen, some players on the Giants are going to need to step up in a big way in order to propel this team over a pretty solid Panthers squad.
This Panthers team is not the kind to overlook, as despite their Week 1 loss, this team is still chock-full of talent. Especially when it comes to the offensive side of the ball, which holds players like Christian McCaffrey, D,J Moore, Robbie Anderson, etc. All players who have the potential to wreck the Giants chances of winning this game.
With that being said, here are three three under-the-radar NY Giants players who can help power the team over the Panthers:
3. OG Josh Ezeudu
Despite Ben Bredeson getting the start last week, we saw a good amount of rookie offensive guard Josh Ezeudu, who had a very up and down performance.
Ezeudu looked fantastic in the run game, making several key blocks on important plays, but he struggled massively in pass protection. While it may make sense to start the rookie in order to give him the reps he needs to improve, it seems as if coach Brian Daboll still wants to rotate between both Bredeson and Ezeudu.
This is a little interesting, as while yes, we understand Ezeudu had his struggles in the pass game. His run blocking was tremendous compared to Bredeson.
Look at the job the left side of the offensive line (from center to left tackle) does on this Saquon Barkley TD run. Just a HUGE hole. This exemplifies the second half. #giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 14, 2022
C Jon Feliciano (76)
LG Josh Ezeudu (75)
LT Andrew Thomas (78) pic.twitter.com/ZRftYgRwmy
Regardless, if Ezeudu wants to have a chance at seeing reps or potentially starting when Shane Lemieux comes back, he must make the most out of every opportunity he is given. Especially in pass protection, as it seems as if that could be his Achilles heel.
In the game against the Titans, Ezeudu saw 29 offensive snaps played compared to Bredson’s 33. However, with how well Ezeudu played compared to Bredeson, there is a chance we see Ezeudu take over the majority of offensive snaps at the left guard spot for the time being. If this happens, he could be in line for a big game in Week 2.
2. WR Richie James
After a surprising game against the Titans in Week 1, it seems as if Richie James is set to have a pretty big year this season. In said game, James would catch five passes for 59 yards, while also doing a good amount of damage in the return game.
Oddly enough, it seemed as if James took the role that most people thought Kadarius Toney would have this season. Now with Toney being listed as questionable heading into Week 2, it seems as if James could be primed for yet another big game.
This might be one of the best throws of Daniel Jones's career straight up -- this ball only had one place to go and he just barely evades the linebacker underneath -- on the run too!
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) September 13, 2022
Richie James had a great game btw #NYG pic.twitter.com/1fYpwX4oRJ
James provides a certain versatility at the wide receiver position the Giants have not consistently seen in quite some time. If he is able to stay healthy, we could see James have himself a big season and cement his role on the team for years to come.
We saw what James was capable of during the preseason. While it was certainly surprising to see him play in 70% of the Giants offensive snaps, it was nice to at least see him be productive in the snaps he was given. That’s something you can’t say about all of the receivers on the team.
1. CB Darnay Holmes
With Aaron Robinson being listed as OUT this week due to an appendectomy, it will be up to Darnay Holmes to step up in the role of CB2. However, after his very disappointing Week 1 performance, there may be a reason to be worried.
After an absolutely tremendous training camp and preseason, combined with his solid performance towards the end of last season, it seemed as if Holmes was set to have a breakout season this year.
Despite this, Holmes played rather putrid against the Titans, allowing four completions on five targets for 53 yards while also getting a huge penalty called on him late in the game that nearly won it for the Titans.
If Holmes wants a chance to remain a prevalent piece of the NY Giants defense, he must bounce back in the absence of Robinson, as he will likely be thrown into the CB2 spot, a position that has had many question marks thrown around it all offseason.
While it is unknown how much a good performance would boost Holmes’ standings on the depth chart, it certainly wouldn’t do any harm. However, considering the wide receiver talent on the Panthers, it could be a very difficult week for Holmes. Let’s hope that’s not the case.