The New York Giants are coming off of two consecutive losses as they host the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
The Giants, now 2-4, hope to get a win under their belts against the 2-3-1 Cardinals. Both teams are led by rookie quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 of the 2019 NFL Draft. It will be a battle to the end as Daniel Jones looks to bounce back and Kyler Murray looks to keep their win streak alive.
There are three major keys to a Big Blue victory in Week 7:
Find a way to contain Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray is known for his ability to keep the play alive with his legs. He’s not a traditional pocket-passer, having rushed 39 times for 238 yards and two touchdowns this season. He is capable of passing, having thrown for over 1,600 yards and seven touchdowns this season, but by taking away his legs, his effectiveness dwindles. Keeping Murray contained in the pocket cause him to make poor decisions, leading to the Giants defense getting off the field.
Go to Evan Engram early and often
The Cardinals have struggled against tight ends all season. Three tight ends have achieved over 100 yards per game against the Cards, so getting Engram involved early will be huge. Engram leads all Giants’ receivers with 33 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns, including 220 yards after the catch. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Engram is tough to bring down and he is athletic enough to make plays with his feet after the ball is in his hands.
Win time of possession
Both defenses give up a lot of time on the field, so the Giants’ biggest key to winning the defensive battle is to keep the offense on the field. With the anticipated return of Saquon Barkley, the ground game will see some improvement and help run some of that time off the clock.
The defense needs to create turnovers and contain the Cardinals offense in order to keep Jones & Co. on the field. The more time the offense spends on the field, the better the Giants’ chances are of putting points on the board and winning the game.
