This Sunday, the New York Giants return to East Rutherford to host the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium.
The Tommy DeVito trial is over and Tyrod Taylor has returned as beginning quarterback with Daniel Jones’ season ended a number of weeks in the past. After successful three in a row, the Giants dropped their final two and ended any considered a postseason run.
Nonetheless, the season isn’t over and the Giants don’t need to finish on a bitter word. The Rams current a problem the Giants haven’t seen but this season with a veteran quarterback, a breakout rookie huge receiver, and a sophomore operating again who’s second within the league in speeding.
That mentioned, there are six keys to the Giants incomes a win at dwelling in Week 17.
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Defending the quarterback has been one of many keys virtually each single week for a cause. The Giants lead the league in sacks allowed with 77, and the 425 sack yards are third-worst. It’s really no marvel that the offense has struggled this season — it’s exhausting to achieve success when the road can’t block or cross defend.
If the Giants need a shot at beating the Rams, they’ve to guard Taylor. Interval.
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The Rams have the fourth-best rush protection within the NFL. The Giants’ floor recreation relies round a single participant, and whereas Saquon Barkley is a dynamic risk, he’s not sufficient this week.
Taylor has to seek out his huge receivers and he has to get them correct passes to maneuver the ball down the sector. The run recreation completely has its place, however the Giants’ capacity to cross the ball will dictate the result of this recreation.
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Particular groups are in all probability the Rams’ largest weak spot.
Mason Crosby joined the Giants to take over kicking duties and is a stable veteran who’s able to making kicks from virtually wherever on the sector. Jamie Gillan is questionable on Sunday, however so long as the particular groups crew is constant and doesn’t make foolish errors, they can assist the Giants win the sector place battle.
The Giants have one of many worst offenses within the NFL, so if particular groups performs arrange the offense with a brief discipline, the chance of scoring factors goes up.
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It’s no secret that Matthew Stafford is a pocket passer. He’s not a fan of operating the ball and has recorded simply 66 speeding yards this season. However the Rams’ group is aware of this and Stafford could be very properly protected. He’s been sacked simply 26 instances this season, making him the third-best-protected quarterback within the league.
This key gained’t be a simple one for the Giants’ protection, however the extra strain they will get on Stafford, the extra probably he’s to throw the ball away. He’ll scramble if he has to, but it surely’s not his first selection. Preserve him below fireplace.
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It’s not simply Cooper Kupp anymore. In reality, he’s not even the highest man this yr. Stafford has a collection of receivers to select from and the Giants protection have to be ready for all of them. Puka Nacua is the highest man this yr, which is a byproduct of groups doubling down on Kupp. Nacua is a rookie so nobody knew what to anticipate from him this season.
However now we do. He’s an explosive, dynamic receiver who’s extremely gifted. It’s not nearly him and Kupp both, although. Tutu Atwell, Tyler Higbee, Demarcus Robinson and even operating again Kyren Williams have all been focused by Stafford.
Wink Martindale must have his protection ready for any of them.
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As a rookie, Kyren Williams was underwhelming with simply 35 carries for 139 yards. This yr, although, Williams is the second-ranked operating again within the NFL, behind solely Christian McCaffrey. He’s simply as huge a risk as Barkley in that he can play wherever on the sector. He’s going to get the ball on Sunday, rather a lot.
The Giants have to determine a method to hold him considerably contained or it’s going to be a protracted recreation on Sunday.
