3. The run game can't succeed without Saquon Barkley healthy
In Week 3, the Giants ran for a measly 29 yards as a team. It was never going to be easy without Andrew Thomas, Ben Bredeson, and Saquon Barkley, but that type of rushing output is unacceptable. Especially for a team like the G-Men who need to establish the run to get their play-action and quarterback read options going.
Daniel Jones is their best rusher with Barkley sidelined, currently ranking third in the NFL in rushing yards by a quarterback this season (107). Strangely enough, he only ran the ball twice in a game that Barkley and his 15-plus carries were unavailable. The team would be wise to incorporate him more in the team’s rushing attack sans Barkley.
With that said, Barkley seems to be trending in the right direction to return to action sooner rather than later. He was able to practice in a limited capacity this week and head coach Brian Daboll has stated that Barkley is day-to-day. However, if this ankle injury lingers, then it could be a major problem for the Giants.