Stop me if you've heard this before, but the New York Giants' run defense is awful. Heading into Week 10, the G-Men are second-to-last in total rushing yards and ground yards allowed per game.
The Giants' schedule has done them absolutely no favors so far. It's turning out to be every bit as brutal as it looked when it dropped back in May. Their upcoming tilt against the Chicago Bears was one game they were thought to have a chance at. But fast forward through half a season, and that looks increasingly less likely, especially with the way both teams' trajectories are going.
Chicago enters Week 10 with the second-most rushing yards per game, making this a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and Co. And all eyes are on Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai.
The 23-year-old appeared on Da Bears' initial Week 10 injury report with an ankle injury, throwing a bit of uncertainty into his Sunday availability at Soldier Field. And after his 176-yard, Walter Payton-esque performance in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, his pain could be Big Blue's gain. And the Giants know it.
Giants defenders all but admit defeat if Kyle Monangai plays in Week 10
When speaking to the media after Wednesday's practice, pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux acknowledged the rookie's running style — citing that he runs hard and can make guys miss — before outright saying the defense has to do better on early downs. Translation: don't get Monangai in short-yardage situations, because New York won't be able to stop him.
Bowen's defensive tackle Rakeem Nuñez-Roches also joined the nothing-we-can-do-about-him bandwagon. Nacho reiterated to reporters the former Rutgers star runs hard, but also pointed to his vision and keeping his feet under him will make it tough for New York to stop him.
I mean, it's not uncommon for players of other teams to compliment players on others, but Thibs and Nuñez-Roches just handed Chicago the playbook. Give the ball to Monangai and watch the Giants trip over themselves effortlessly.
No one roots for injuries, but it's easy to see how the Giants' lives become infinitely easier if Monangai's ankle acts up and keeps him out, or limited, for the contest. On the other sideline, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will do everything he can in an attempt to stop NY's 11-game road losing streak, simultaneously getting him his first road victory of his young career.
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Even Giants defenders are bracing for impact. Monangai’s ankle might be the only thing standing between the Giants and another embarrassing Sunday.