4 bold predictions for the NY Giants vs. Eagles showdown
After last week's 24-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the NY Giants are 5-9 and fighting to keep their playoff chances alive; however, they may run into their most challenging test yet with two matchups against the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles coming up. It will be a true test for undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, who has impressed in five games since taking over as the team's starting signal-caller.
The Giants 2023 campaign has not gone how anyone anticipated. Still, after winning three straight with DeVito under center, the team had some momentum heading into New Orleans last weekend. The Saints had other plans, holding Big Blue's offense to under 200 yards and just six total points.
The Giants will look to turn the page on Christmas Day when they head to Philadelphia to keep their season alive. That said, let's take a look at four bold predictions for the G-Men's Week 16 matchup against the Eagles:
4. The Giants secondary will have at least two interceptions
As of late, one of the bright spots for the Giants has been their secondary. Over the last four games, the Giants' defense has seven interceptions, which is over half of their season total of 13. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale seems to have finally unlocked the Giants' secondary's potential this season, especially in first-round pick Deonte Banks.
The rookie cornerback out of Maryland has 47 solo tackles, 11 assists, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions, including one recently against the New England Patriots. Banks are also allowing just 6.5 yards per target, which is less than some of the league's best pass defenders, such as Sauce Gardner, Stephon Gilmore, and Darius Slay. It is looking like Banks will emerge as one of the NFL's top cornerbacks in the future.
Deonte Banks is allowing 6.5 yards per target.
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) December 21, 2023
That's fewer yards per target allowed than:
- Sauce Gardner
- Stephon Gilmore
- Darius Slay
- D.J. Reed pic.twitter.com/Rv9G0fTDOy
The Giants have some solid depth with Jason Pinnock, Xavier McKinney, and Isaiah Simmons, who has not allowed a touchdown in pass coverage this season. With so much young talent at the cornerback and safety positions, we can only hope that Big Blue's secondary continues to develop and improve for the future. It will be interesting to see how the secondary matches up this week against one of the best receiver cores in the league: AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.