Week 7 Preview: Giants Look to Right the Ship Against the Cardinals

The Giants can begin defining their season starting this week against an Arizona Cardinals team that poses a challenge like none other seen by New York this year.

Vegas was impressed enough with the Giants (2-4) last Thursday night to install them as 3-point favorites against the visiting Cardinals (2-3-1) this Sunday.

What likely impressed Vegas most is the return to health this week of running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and tight end Evan Engram (knee).

Without those guys, quarterback Daniel Jones had little chance against the Patriots' top-ranked defense. 

Conversely, Jones will be facing an Arizona defense that is ranked #30 in nearly every significant category.

"First of all, you can kind of throw that out the window, I think," offensive coordinator Mike Shula said. 

"I think that they’re young on defense, and they’re still learning. Everybody is still learning the system. They were up last week against a really good offense and kept them down until the end against Atlanta. They’ve been in some really good games. Still, we have to worry about ourselves, no matter who we play." 

Despite Shula's words, we are expecting a big game from Jones, whom we think will enjoy having multiple places to go with the ball.

Per NextGen Stats, Jones s been throwing into the tightest windows in the league the last two weeks. 

Daniel Jones struggled to find open receivers tonight, forcing passes into tight windows (< 1 yard of separation) on 15 of 31 pass attempts (49%).

His 15 pass attempts into tight windows are the most of any QB in a game over the last two seasons. #NYGvsNE | #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/Uj5D8ulO29

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 11, 2019

This week, having Evan Engram go against a Cardinals pass defense that has allowed a league-high 599 yards to opposing tight ends certainly won't hurt.

Though Jones’ numbers are always significant, running the ball remains Priority One, this week or any week.

Barkley, who started the year with two straight 100-yard rushing games, needs to establish the run early as everything else feeds off the run. 

it's also worth noting that the one thing that Arizona’s defense does rather well is rush the passer. OLBs Terrell Suggs and Chandler Jones are big names on their way to rather big years and the Giants' offensive tackles (Nate Solder and Mike Remmers) are going to have to really step up to keep their edges as clean as possible.

But to slow down Jones and Suggs, look for the Giants to slow them down by challenging both veterans to get dirty in the trenches. They’re both high profile guys who live for the big play. Running the ball at them will slow them down.

Former Eagle inside linebacker Jordan Hicks leads the Cards in tackles. The rest of the defense is non-descript. This Arizona defense is ripe for the picking if the Giants come out swinging.

Then there is the X-factor. Last week, the Cardinals beat the Falcons in a close game. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had a substantial passing game against the Cardinals defense, but Arizona won on a missed extra point.  

Often, winning a wild one like that takes the edge off a team the following week. Could Arizona’s mindset be one of relief after eeking out their victory? Could they come out a bit flat? 

It sure would help, just as it would help if the Giants offense can control the ball and keep the Arizona offense off the field, they’ll give themselves a chance.

By the way, if Daniel Jones can get his team to 3-4, then we have a season. Losing to a bad team and going to 2-5 will trigger the alarm bells. 

The scary part of this week’s matchup is Arizona’s often-dynamic offense vs. the Giants very sub-par defense. Talk about an unfavorable matchup.

Like the Giants’ Jones, fellow rookie quarterback Kyler Murray has played well. 

Murray is very quick and very elusive. He is also coming off his best throwing game as a pro and is likely champing at the bit to play a Giants pass defense that has yet to find consistency this season. 

RELATED: How the Giants Defense Can Keep Pace with the Cardinals' Use of "10 Personnel"

Murray has been sacked 21 times, but last week he went sack-free. He’s improving in the pocket, and that’s a scary thought. Murray is primed for a huge game.

The Giants pass rush, improved of late, needs to get home, but more than that, they need to keep Murray in the pocket.

We could see the Giants rushing five players on most downs if only to get the ball out of Murray’s hand. He is their most dangerous player. We suspect inside linebacker Alec Ogletree (12 tackles last week) will be that fifth man more often than not.

This goes without saying every week, but tackling will be huge, especially in the open field. Safety Jabril Peppers needs to see things consistently fast and get to the ball quick. Getting there late is how missed tackles happen. Peppers needs to have a big game.

Cardinals running back David Johnson is a big back who is good out of the backfield, though he is hampered by an ankle injury. 

Ogletree, Peppers, and linebacker David Mayo will have to be sharp. Keeping up with Johnson in space, and defending Arizona’s screen game will be a challenge.

 By the way, Murray is the Cardinals second-leading rusher, so there’s that to worry about too.

Last but not least, Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald leads the Cards in catches (Johnson is second) and he'll likely be in the slot more than a few times, against Grant Haley. 

The Cards are not a big-play offense, but Murray and company are hard to get off the field. The Giants defense, which has struggled in this regard, need to get off the field.

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