Giants fans should not have expected their team to roll into San Franicsco and knock the 49ers off last week. They could have expected their team to put up a fight. Instead, New York let the 49ers walk all over them in a decisive 30-12 loss.
That result will send head coach Brian Daboll and his staff back to the drawing board this week. The team has plenty of issues to clean up before they host the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Most of the focus will understandably go toward fixing the team's anemic offense, but issues on the defensive side of the ball should not be ignored. In particular, the 49ers really torched the Giants' defense by getting the ball to their running backs and tight ends via the passing game.
Problems the Giants need to fix: 3. Limit receptions by running backs and tight ends
It's tough for any team to stop players like Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. The Giants' defense offered less resistance than most units. Kittle lit New York up for seven catches for 90 yards and McCaffrey chipped in a healthy five receptions for 34 yards.
If those numbers are replicated by Kenneth Walker and Noah Fant this week then the Giants will be in deep trouble. Added attention must be focused by the team's safeties and linebackers to make sure Seattle's offense is unable to hurt them with a high volume of underneath throws. That will put the cornerbacks under more scrutiny against Seattle's talented wideouts but that's a risk defensive coordinator Wink Martindale needs to take.
The Giants might give up a couple big plays on Monday night by shutting down the Seahawks' underneath routes, but they cant afford to let Pete Carroll's offense suffocate them with ball control.
Problems the Giants need to fix: 2. New York must manufacture a running game against the Seahawks
Some fans mgiht excuse the Giants for failing to run the football against the 49ers with Saquon Barkley missing due to injury. Rushing the ball just 11 times for a paltry total of 29 yards should not be acceptable under any circumstances.
The relatively good news is thatBarkley does have a chance to be healthy enough to play on Monday night. His potential return to the lineup would give his offense a much-needed jolt of energy. Even if he doesn't recover in time to play, it's imperative that Daboll commit to the run even if they fall behind early.
Matt Breida doesn't provide the same star power in the backfield that Barkley does, but he's capable of grinding out yards against the Seahawks' defense. It might be time to feed rookie Eric Gray some carries as well. He flashed big-play ability during his collegiate career and could pressure Seattle on the perimeter with his speed from the running back position.
Even if the Giants don't run the ball effectively this week they need to stick with it to make sure Daniel Jones and the passing game aren't forced to throw the ball too often. Jones' ideal passing total should stay under 30 if New York is going to earn the victory. That means the run game has to be utilized early and often by the Giants.
Problems the Giants need to fix: 1. The Giants need to find a way to throw the ball vertically
It's no sin to struggle to push the ball down the field against arguably the top pass-rushing unit in the NFL. Quarterback Daniel Jones throwing the ball 32 times for just 137 yards still represents a massive failure by the Giants in San Francisco.
If that history repeats itself this week it will equal another ugly scoreline for New York. Jones may not be the most accurate passer in the NFL, but he does possess quality arm strength. He needs to losen up the Seahawks defense by taking some deep shots down the field in the first quarter on Monday night.
Getting the ball to tight end Darren Waller might be the most effective way to increase Jones' depth of target. He was targeted seven times last week but only managed to catch three balls for 20 yards. Waller has the right combination of size and speed to trouble the Seahawks down the seam. It's crucial for Jones to complete a big ball or two to his star tight end to improve his offensive efficiency.
The wide receiver corps has to be a factor in this regard as well. It isn't a star-studded personnel group, but rookie Jalin Hyatt was drafted specifically to give the offense a dangerous vertical threat. Integrating him into the Week 4 game plan could be a tonic for his offense's most profound ill.
