2. Keep AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith quiet
Yes, Hurts has improved his passing ability in 2022 — but the main reason for that has been the phenomenal talent he’s throwing the football to. DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown are among the NFL’s best — if not the best — wide receiving duos. They burned the Giants multiple times at MetLife Staidum, but that was without both Adoree’ Jackson and Xavier McKinney.
The Giants secondary may have plenty on inexperience, but they more than held their own against Justin Jefferson and the Vikings in the Wild Card round. A similar performance will be needed if the Giants are to pull off another upset.
With Jackson and McKinney in particular, having them back was huge against Minnesota. Jackson basically had Jefferson in his back pocket the whole game, while no one is going to forget McKinney’s game-sealing tackle on T.J. Hockenson. The secondary as a whole must step up, but we think McKinney and Jackson will rise to the challenge.