An inside look at Monday night’s Giants-Seahawks NFL Week 4 matchup at MetLife Stadium.
Marquee Matchup
Seahawks WRs DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Giants CBs Deonte Banks, Tre Hawkins and Adoree’ Jackson
Yes, we know, the Seahawks are known as a running team, but they are 13th in the league in passing yards (228.3 per game) and just 16th in rushing yards (104.3).
Dealing with Metcalf’s uncommon size-speed combination will challenge rookies Banks and Hawkins. Metcalf is averaging 15.6 yards per catch, and he will test the young corners on deep routes.
Lockett is an expert route-runner and a go-to target for Geno Smith on third down.
Metcalf is hoping the Giants send blitzes at Smith.
“I think that makes it easier because it’s less people for us to try to defeat on defense,’’ Metcalf said.
Paul’s Pick
This is time for the ol’ Pat Riley line about planting your two feet, standing firm and making a point about who you are.
This mini-bye needs to serve as a reset for a team that mostly languished through the first three weeks.
Time for Daniel Jones, Darren Waller and the offense, and Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Xavier McKinney on defense to stand up and make plays, and stop some of the nonsense that has caused a whole bunch of bad, losing football.
Giants 27, Seahawks 24.
Four downs
D.J. run: The Giants do not need Daniel Jones to make like Michael Vick and run all over the place, but until they can get Saquon Barkley healthy — he will be a game-time decision dealing with a high ankle sprain — they do need Jones using his legs to pick up first downs and positive yards.
Jones ran it twice for just 3 yards against the 49ers, and that does not cut it.
“No, he wasn’t instructed not to run,’’ offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said, adding, “We had those plays in the game plan, just didn’t end up getting to them based on the situations.’’
Somehow, some way, the Giants must end up getting to them. “I didn’t use my legs as much,’’ Jones said. “I think I’ve got to do a good job of finding opportunities to do that when I can and getting outside of the pocket or finding a lane to step up and run.’’
No swiping: There is no perfect statistical barometer, but one of the best there is at determining success or failure is turnover differential.
Based on this, the Giants might be fortunate to be 1-2.
They are tied for 29th in the NFL with a giveaway-takeaway differential of minus-5.
They have four interceptions, one lost fumble and zero — we repeat: ***** zero ***** — forced turnovers.
The Giants and Raiders are the only defenses to get skunked thus far this season.
The Seahawks at plus-2 in turnover differential are tied for ninth-best.
“Of course, it is, it’s a concern — you always want to get the ball turned over,’’ defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said.
Not everyone is thinking this way. “Honestly, I don’t think turnovers are too concerning,’’ defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. “I think just playing good defense, stopping the run, limiting passing yards and passer rating and stuff like that is more important to me.’’
Line of Fire: At some point we are going to be able to refrain from making everything about the shabbiness of the Giants’ offensive line, right?
It is extremely unfortunate that Andrew Thomas (hamstring) will miss his third consecutive game, with Josh Ezeudu again subbing in at left tackle.
It should help that Ben Bredeson returns out of concussion protocol to start at left guard.
The Seattle defensive front does not pose the same problems as the Cowboys and 49ers, but unblocked players always present problems.
It is time for right tackle Evan Neal to stay off the ground and start knocking people to the ground, because that is what No. 7-overall draft picks are supposed to do.
Slip-slipping away: Kenneth Walker III is a tough customer who regularly falls forward for extra yards. This means the Giants need to wrap-up the Seattle running back.
Can they do it? They missed a ghastly 16 tackles in Week 3 against the Niners, which is ridiculous. NFL defensive players do not appreciate talking about tackling, because it is supposed to be a basic skill.
“I had a coach always tell me that tackling is all about technique and desire,’’ middle linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “We all have a great desire to tackle, now it’s just cleaning up the technique and we’ll get it right.’’