After all of the disappointment surrounding Jaxson Dart's injury, the New York Giants still have a game to play this weekend. They'll take on offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and the Tennessee Titans in Week 3, hoping to get out to a 2-1 start for the first time since 2022.
With Dart out, the G-Men will need to find ways to win in every area of the field. Players who have faded into the background through the first two weeks of the year will be forced into the spotlight.
The Titans are certainly beatable at 0-2, but this game won't be easy for Big Blue. They'll need to win in these three key areas to come away with the second win of the John Harbaugh era.
3 matchups to watch as Giants take on Titans in Week 3
Giants EDGE Abdul Carter vs. Titans OT Dan Moore
It's time for the Giants' elite pass rush to finally deliver. Through the first two weeks of the season, Big Blue is one of just two teams with less than two sacks.
With Brian Burns sidelined with a low ankle sprain, the pressure is on Carter to take control in this game. Moore can be beat. In fact, he allowed 48 pressures (2nd-most in the NFL) and eight sacks last season.
Carter needs to get into the backfield on a consistent basis and force Cam Ward off his rhythm. If Ward is allowed to sit in the pocket untouched, he could dice up the Giants' weak secondary.
Giants RG Francis Mauigoa vs. Titans DT Jeffery Simmons
Simmons can't be allowed to take over the game. He's one of the most dominant defenders in the NFL, regardless of position, so a rookie like Mauigoa is likely to get beat a time or two. He wasn't perfect against Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams, and he doesn't need to be perfect against the Titans.
But if Simmons creates negative plays throughout the game, New York's offense won't be able to stay on schedule.
The veteran defender will likely move around the interior of Tennessee's defensive line, but don't be surprised if he seeks out matchups against Mauigoa. The rookie just needs to hold his own to keep the offense from going off the rails.
Giants QB Jameis Winston vs. the devil on his shoulder
Especially against a less talented opponent, Winston needs to be a game manager. It won't come naturally to him, as he tends to take shots down the field whenever he gets the chance, but he needs to limit his chaotic moments for the Giants to win this game.
The Titans' secondary is vulnerable, but Robert Saleh tends to play a bend-don't-break style of defense. He allows short throws for the sake of limiting long ones.
If Winston takes what the defense gives him and lets Cam Skattebo and the running game carry the heavy load of the offense, the G-Men will be set up to advance to 2-1 on Sunday.
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