The New York Giants are hosting the New Orleans Saints this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and you know what? The G-Men are underdogs at home against a team with a worse record. Again! Last time they were in this spot, they beat the Arizona Cardinals by eight points because they took it personally. We are looking at a similar outcome this week, but only if they can figure out how to protect Jameis Winston, who is facing one of his former teams where he was supposed to have a shot at starting quarterback, but it never really happened.
Winston’s Body Is Taking a Beating and The O-Line Is Shaky
Here is the deal: Jameis Winston has been sacked 11 times in just four games. That is almost three sacks per game! Look, he is 32 years old, and his body just cannot keep taking that kind of punishment every single week without getting mad. If Winston goes down, J.J. McCarthy is the backup, and then this offense becomes totally one-dimensional. That is a recipe for disaster!
And the biggest headache? The tackle position. Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor are both banged up and questionable for Sunday. Even if they play, they will be hobbled. If they do not, we are looking at Marcus Mbow and rookie J.C. Davis stepping in. You can bet your bottom dollar the Saints’ defense, especially their pass rush, is going to attack those guys with everything they have, no matter who is out there. Whether it is injured starters or inexperienced backups, the tackle position simply HAS to hold strong, or Winston is going to be running for his life all day.
Run Game Woes and Kamara’s Danger Zone
It is not just about protecting Winston, though. The Giants’ run game? It is struggling hard. As a team, they are averaging a measly 3.7 yards per carry. Their starting running back, Cam Skattebo, is only getting 3.6 yards per carry himself. That is not going to cut it, man! John Harbaugh even said it this week, calling it “just not good enough yet.” They have to find a way to be more efficient on the ground and create some explosive plays. That is how you stay on the field and give Winston some manageable down and distance situations.
Flipping to the other side, the Saints are limping in after losing their last two games by 10 points or more, and they are without one of their top running backs. You would think that is good news for the Giants, right? Well, not so fast. Travis Etienne is on injured reserve, but the big danger is still Alvin Kamara. He is questionable with a back injury and only had limited practice Friday, but even at less than 100 percent, Kamara is a game-wrecker. The Giants are giving up a whopping 5.2 yards per carry this season on the ground. The Saints’ run game has struggled, sure, but this matchup against the Giants’ defense? It is looking pretty favorable for New Orleans. Big Blue absolutely HAS to close those gaps and slow Kamara down, or he will torch them.
This Sunday is huge. The Giants are at home, ready to prove that underdog status is a mistake. But they need to capitalize on the Saints’ recent losses, shore up that offensive line for Winston, and finally get that run game going. And on defense, they cannot let Kamara run wild. Get it done, Big Blue!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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