By: Marco Imperati
When the NFL schedules were released earlier this year, New York Giant fans probably looked at the back to back, nationally televised, away games vs the Vikings and Packers as two games the Giants most likely would be lucky to escape with a win. Each game had it’s own storyline. In the Giants 23-16 loss to the Packers, the game was ripe for the taking. Aaron Rodgers didn’t seem to be in sync with his receivers. The Packers were also down there two starting cornerbacks. Unfortunately, the Giants never were able to take advantage. The defense barely touched Rogers, and quarterback Eli Manning seems to be as flat as ever. Manning finished with a stat line of 18-35, 199 yards, 1 touchdown.
The offense has presented issues that seem to accumulate each week. Manning and Odell Beckham have had a hard time getting on the same page. OBJ’s first touchdown came in this week 5 game. The offensive line have been up and down. Timely penalties have stalled the offense. In a copycat league, opposing defenses have dared the Giants to throw downfield on their high safeties. The Giants have been unable to break through on all fronts.
Keep an eye on: What is happening at tight end. Larry Donnell could miss his second straight game due to a concussion. Manning has looked Will Tye’s way many times over the last couple weeks but he hasn’t been able to come down with the big catch when it counts. Rookie Jerrell Adams showed his long range. Although raw, Adams showed some heads up football by quickly getting out of bounds when the Giants were trying to preserve time vs the Packers.
Up Next: Next up, in my opinion, is a must win game for the Giants. Coming off of three straight losses, they return home and will welcome the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens will present the same problems the Giants have faced in recent weeks. A tough, road blocking, run defense. They also feature a pro bowl safety in Eric Weddle that could make the day brutal for Eli Manning. Offensively, the team just fired their offensive coordinator so changes should be expected. Don’t blink if you have heard this before against the Giants; They will get a heavy dose of the tight ends.