Overlook this week’s opponent at your own peril, especially when that opponent is the Kansas City Chiefs. But this isn’t about the New York Giants looking past Week 3 in primetime. It’s about recognizing that Week 4's outlook, when Big Blue hosts the LA Chargers, has suddenly shifted in a big way.
Related: Giants' quiet roster move might've just given them a hidden edge vs Chiefs
As reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Chargers star pass rusher Khalil Mack will be heading to injured reserve after injuring his elbow on Monday Night Football against the Raiders. Mack will miss a minimum of four games, meaning New York's chances at keeping Russell Wilson upright in Week 4 at home just got a pretty big boost.
Khalil Mack is headed to IR, with a chance to return after four games. https://t.co/lmNB3fOgjG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2025
While no one roots for injuries, it would be irresponsible to ignore the fact that, without a future Hall-of-Fame edge rusher on the line, Big Blue's offensive line catches a much-needed break. The nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro might be getting up there in age, but his absence would be a benefit to the Giants' offensive line. And after a strong showing in Week 2 against the Cowboys, the group will be looking to build on that success in Week 4.
Giants catch Khalil-Mack-Hall-of-Fame-sized break in Week 4 vs Chargers
New York is coming off the best pass-protecting game in recent memory. The run game still needs work, but the pass protection actually looked good against the Cowboys.
According to Pro Football Focus, the line surrendered only nine pressures, including one sack, on 45 passing plays, which led to an 88.9 PFF pass-blocking efficiency grade, ranking ninth overall in Week 2. Talk about a massive turnaround from Week 1 against the Commanders.
It's a good sign for a team that has struggled to keep its man under center upright throughout the past... decade-plus. And this was just with the unit as-is. Reinforcements are on the way in star tackle Andrew Thomas, who's been increasing his practice workload as he comes back from Lisfranc surgery.
Per Jordan Schultz, the Chargers just signed former Raiders/49ers/Commanders veteran Clelin Ferrell to replace Mack, so we'll see how quickly he can get his legs under him ahead of the Week 4 matchup.
But before anyone gets too excited about a weakened Chargers front, the Giants have a monster to deal with in Week 3. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are coming to MetLife looking for their first win under the lights of Sunday Night Football, and no amount of good news for next week will matter if the G-Men can’t show up and compete this week.
The season won't be saved in Week 4 if it slips away in Week 3. The 2025 schedule has proven to be just as brutal as originally predicted, but a primetime win over Mahomes might be exactly what the doctor ordered.