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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
After a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the Giants stayed out west for a quick turnaround against a San Francisco 49ers team that is expected to be one of the best in the NFC this season.
Here are three major things to keep an eye on on Thursday night.
A Giant hole at running back
The San Francisco 49ers had the second-best run defense in the NFL last year, allowing 3.4 yards per carry and giving up less than 74 total rushing yards per game. It’s been a similar script this year for Kyle Shanahan’s team as they’ve allowed 130 rushing yards through the first two games of the season. As the status of Saquon Barkley remains unknown, it will be paramount for the Giants to establish the run early and take the load off of Daniel Jones.
The G-Men are 4-21 when Jones attempts 35 or more passes in a game, although one of those four wins came last Sunday against the Cardinals where Jones went 26-of-37 with 321 yards and two touchdowns. No matter who is in the backfield, establishing the run and staying out of third-and-long situations where the 49ers can blitz heavily will be paramount to the success of the Giants offense. For a team that has not scored in three out of four halves this year, early offensive success is essential to staying competitive in the game. With Barkley questionable, it could be the Matt Breida revenge game as the seasoned vet squares off against his former team.Â
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No slow starts
It’s no secret that the Giants have had trouble starting games this year. New York has been outscored 46-0 in the first half, which will be a problem against an electrifying 49ers offense. Brock Purdy and Co….
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