Imagine sitting down at a nice restaurant, ordering the most expensive cut of steak on the menu, and having a frozen beef patty placed on the table in front of you.
That's what the New York Giants are experiencing with their group of edge rushers this season, in a way. Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux should be one of the most talented and dominant units in the NFL, yet they've done almost nothing through the first two weeks of the season.
Despite the resources they've invested up front, the Giants are one of two teams in the league with less than two sacks entering Week 3. The edge unit has been as disappointing as any position group on the roster so far.
Carter should be the man to change that narrative this weekend against the Tennessee Titans. If all goes to plan, Titans quarterback Cam Ward will be seeing Carter in his nightmares.
Giants need Abdul Carter to realize his breakout potential against titans in Week 3
Ward may be a former No. 1 draft pick, but he's not without his weaknesses. When pressured this season, he has averaged -0.61 EPA per play and posted a success rate of just 26.1%. Both numbers rank near the bottom of the league.
Last season, Ward was sacked 55 times, as much as any other quarterback in the NFL. As talented as he is, he struggles to get the ball out quickly.
Clearly, Brian Daboll's offense hasn't helped much so far.
Ward's offensive tackles have been solid this year, but they can be beat by explosive edge rushers. Right tackle J.C. Latham and left tackle Dan Moore have allowed six combined pressures this season, according to PFF. Latham has already been penalized four times.
Carter was hyped as a breakout candidate all offseason, and while he has the Giants' only sack of the year so far, he hasn't quite lived up to expectations. That needs to change against the Titans, especially with Jaxson Dart sidelined. New York's defense will need to step up to balance out its diminished offense, and that starts up front.
With Brian Burns out for the game with a low ankle sprain, Carter will be the Giants' primary pass rusher. The Titans will likely slide their protections his way and give their offensive tackles help with chips and double-teams.
If Carter is at his best, Tennessee's focus on stopping him shouldn't matter. Ward will give him time to get home, and he has to deliver for the Giants.
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