SCORE A FIRST-HALF TD
The bar is low for Brian Daboll’s Giants offense, and it’s the same every week: get in the end zone before the game gets away from them. The Giants have not scored a first-half touchdown in their last three games. Their last first-half TD was on Oct. 6 in Seattle, almost a full month ago. They’re averaging 7.75 points per game in their 0-4 skid at MetLife Stadium. They have to set a new tone early on Sunday.
STOP THE RUN
Shane Bowen’s defense has allowed 436 rushing yards the last two weeks to the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. They gave up 215 on the ground to the Commanders in Week 2. They allow a league-worst 5.4 yards per carry to opponents. They’ve surrendered four runs of 40-plus yards, which is worst in the NFL. They’ve allowed 10 runs of 20 yards or more, tied for second-worst. They’ve also struggled against running QBs like Washington’s Jayden Daniels. It’s now or never.
KEEP THE CROWD IN IT
There might be a good amount of empty seats at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Regardless, Daniel Jones and the Giants have to put a sufficient product on the field to keep the attendees engaged and encouraged so they’ll remain loud and confident in the fourth quarter if the game’s close. Otherwise, a host of empty gray seats and a cascade of boos could have co-owner John Mara rethinking his vote of confidence down the stretch of the season.