The (1-4) New York Giants head into their matchup with the (4-1) Los Angeles Rams on Sunday as decisive eight-point underdogs.
To make matters worse, Big Blue comes into this game a depleted team as Saquon Barkley (ankle) and Kenny Golladay (knee) have been ruled out. In addition, Andrew Thomas (foot), Ben Bredeson (hand), Kadarius Toney (ankle), and Darius Slayton (hamstring) are listed as questionable.
There is some good news from an injury standpoint. After suffering a concussion last Sunday against the Cowboys, Daniel Jones has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start.
Even with Jones playing, the Giants will need to play their best game of the year if they’re going to upset the Rams.
It’s going to take a team effort to win, but in particular Big Blue will need four players to have their best game of the season, in order for them to win.
1. James Bradberry
After being voted to the Pro Bowl last season, Bradberry’s play has dipped in 2021. For whatever reason, he’s not playing up to his Pro Bowl form, and last week he gave up a 49-yard touchdown to CeeDee Lamb.
Los Angeles has one of the best receiving corps in the league in Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, and the always dangerous DeSean Jackson.
Bradberry must win his one-on-one matchups with whoever is lined up across from him, and force quarterback Matthew Stafford to throw in another direction. If he can win his matchups, Big Blue’s defense stands a good chance of holding their own against the Rams’ high-powered offense.
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2. Leonard Williams
Another player whose production has dropped from a season ago is Leonard Williams. Last year, Williams was being compared to Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald who won Defensive Player of the Year for the third time.
This year, Williams has seldom made any impact plays and has just a sack and a half. The Rams offensive line is one of the best in football as they’ve allowed just four sacks.
Williams will need to step up and apply pressure to Stafford early and often. If Stafford has all day to throw the ball, he’ll carve up New York’s secondary.
3. Devontae Booker
Booker has huge shoes to fill starting in place of Barkley. He is expected to get a heavy workload on Sunday running the ball and as a pass-catcher.
For the season, Booker is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry, however, the Rams have struggled stopping the run giving up 117.2 yards per game. This is something Booker and the offensive line will need to exploit.
4. Evan Engram
With the Giants pass catchers either out or dealing with injuries, tight end Evan Engram figures to play a vital role in New York’s offensive gameplan.
Engram has struggled mightily this season dealing with injuries, drops, and a costly fumble in the Giants 17-14 Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Perhaps no player on the Giants roster needs a bounce-back game more than Engram. If he has another subpar outing, he might be traded before the November 2nd trade deadline.
