The winless New York Giants are desperate for a win. Their Week 4 visit to Arrowhead Stadium to square off with the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs is not a favorable matchup.
The Chiefs have already disposed of two of the Giants’ divisional foes (the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys). They’re looking to make it 3-0 against the NFC East — and 4-0 for the year — and the current Giants incarnation could be their easiest opponent all season. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has battled with the Giants many times before, and he knows better than to expect anything but the best from the G-Men.
“We don’t get caught up in the record. They’ve got a phenomenal head coach,” Reid said. “They’re a good football team and so we’re preparing ourselves for a good football team. That’s the bottom line.”
Indeed the Giants do have talent, but there’s no sugarcoating how badly they have played through their first three games. They hit rock bottom last week, falling victim to the Carolina Panthers by the score of 38-0.
New York is currently among the bottom 10 in points allowed per game (38.3), total yards allowed (382.3), penalties (22) and turnover ratio (-9). The Chiefs are within the top 10 in each of those categories.
“The difference in their football team… does anybody know what it is?” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin asked. “Thirty-seven giveaways last year and zero this year. They’re plus-nine, plus-nine after three games with no giveaways.”
The two teams are on complete opposite ends of the world but will clash with much to prove in their early-season matchup. Both teams could use the momentum, but the Giants would love anything positive with which to return home.
Despite the rough start, Big Blue is still very much in the NFC East race, trailing the Cowboys by two games with 13 to go. Here’s a look at five players whose contributions could be key to a much-needed turnaround.
Will Beatty, LT
Beatty, who received a hefty $37.50 million contract in the offseason, has been the worst of the Giants’ offensive linemen so far. His performance against the Panthers was completely unacceptable and resulted in three sacks and two hurries of quarterback Eli Manning, according to Pro Football Focus.
As the blindside protector, Beatty must improve. The Chiefs have a fearsome pass-rushing unit that leads the league with 15 sacks. They will come after Manning all afternoon. The entire offensive line must perform better in Kansas City, but their progress will start on the left side.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
It’s obvious JPP is still getting back in football shape after missing all of training camp and preseason following offseason surgery. But the Giants are in desperate need of a big performance from their star defensive end.
Through three games, the Pro Bowler has zero sacks. The Giants have just three sacks as a team. As a result, opposing offenses have sat comfortably in the pocket and picked apart the secondary for 253 passing yards per game and seven touchdowns. Paul and his teammates could have some luck at Arrowhead Stadium, however. The Chiefs are tied for 23rd with 10 sacks surrendered. The Giants’ first three opponents all rank within the top 15 in sacks allowed.
Justin Tuck, DE
Opposite JPP is Tuck, who needs to put up or shut up. Along with safety Antrel Rolle, Tuck has called for more emotion from his teammates, but he’s done little on the field over the last three years to warrant even trying to be a locker room leader anymore.
Regardless of his fellow defensive end’s health, Tuck’s inability to penetrate the pocket will forever damn the Giants’ pass rush. If he could generate any kind of pressure, it may free JPP — or any of the other D-linemen — to lay a hit on the opposing quarterback.
Antrel Rolle, S
Speaking of Rolle, the Giants captain has been quite vocal in recent weeks, but his play has been quiet so far this season too.
The G-Men will need the safety to step up this week. They’re going to have a tough time slowing down running back Jamaal Charles, who is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. A week ago, Carolina rusher DeAngelo Williams ran all over the Giants for 120 yards.
Eli Manning, QB
Yes, a lot of Manning’s struggles through the first three games aren’t his fault. But a lot of them are.
He has thrown nine interceptions and no matter how you spin it, most of the guilt for those falls on his shoulders. Manning’s carelessness with the football kicked off what has been a terrible year for the G-Men. A good performance — somehow, someway — could turn things around.
Another bad one will likely mean an 0-4 start for the Giants… an almost certain fatal blow to the season before it’s even begun.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. All quotes were acquired first hand or via team press releases unless otherwise noted. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.