The New York Giants will once again enter the weekend as underdogs and try to emerge from it with an upset victory. The Giants will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday on the heels of a comeback win over defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s former squad, the Baltimore Ravens. Martindale and his defense have their sights set on a Jaguars team that started the campaign strong, but has now lost three games in a row.
There are some weapons on this Jags team to keep an eye on. The Giants will have to shut them down if they want to make it easier on themselves this week and avoid having to overcome a big deficit in the second half like they did in their last two wins. With that said, here are four players for the NY defense to focus on.
4. QB Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence, the second-year QB out of Clemson, had somewhat of a bounce-back performance last week in the Jags’ 34-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
The 23-year-old QB was 20-22 (90.9 percent) for 165 yards, a touchdown and a 113.1 passer rating. He also ran six times for 23 yards and two touchdowns. Lawrence was sacked four times, though, the second time that’s happened in the last three weeks.
He’s not a QB that strikes deep fear into your heart on each passing down, or makes you lose sleep for weeks over being a matchup nightmare like Lamar Jackson does, but he still has the raw skills to be able to hurt you if unchecked.
Lawrence had a two-interception game against the 1-3-1 Houston Texans and four fumbles in the Jags’ rainy loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Maybe the Giants can build off of last week’s performance and pile up another couple of turnovers this week.
3. WR Christian Kirk
Giants fans know all too well what it’s like to throw a four-year, $72 million deal at a free agent wide receiver and hope that it pays off. The difference for the Jaguars and Christian Kirk, though, is that it actually is paying off.
Kirk had 20 receptions, 327 yards and three touchdowns in his first three regular season games as a Jaguar. He has struggled to get the ball a bit over the last two weeks, seeing only eight total targets for five receptions, 35 yards and a touchdown. However, his four touchdowns through Week 6 are four more than Kenny Golladay has with the Giants… ever
Kirk gives Lawrence and the Jags another weapon that the Giants have to slow down if they hope to come away with a win on Sunday. It’ll be on the secondary to try and keep Kirk in check, which is easier said than done.
2. RB Travis Etienne Jr.
The Giants are 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (144.8) while the Jaguars are ranked ninth this season with 136.7 rushing yards per game. They will have their hands full stopping a tandem out of the backfield with James Robinson and Travis Etienne Jr. both seeing consistent touches throughout the season.
Etienne is the bigger threat for the home run and, after watching Kenyan Drake mess around and have a full-on revival last week, he will need to be a focus for this Giants defense.
The former Clemson Tiger is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 11.2 yards per reception on the year. He has amassed 447 yards from scrimmage and is still looking to score his first touchdown of the year. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. We’ll see if the defensive front will be up to the task in trying to contain him.
1. TE Evan Engram
Okay, maybe the Giants don’t need to “slow” Evan Engram down as much as they need to “stay close” to him.
It’s fresh in our memory how many times a turnover occurred right after Engram touched the ball. Tipped balls for interceptions and fumbles right after making the catch were a constant through Engram’s time in New York, and the Giants should try to capitalize on that this week.
Engram says he has no interest in making this a revenge game, but it will still be fun to see him suit up against his former team and hopefully help them out with a turnover as a final parting gift. Engram previous guaranteed a win over the Giants, taking to Instagram to showcase unreal confidence during the offseason. We doubt he’ll be able to back up that talk.
4 bold predictions for the NY Giants matchup with the Jaguars
The disrespected New York Giants travel to Jacksonville this weekend, where they will pummel the lowly Jaguars in a Week 7 tilt.