The New York Giants notched their first victory of the season last week, 27-21 in New Orleans. It was a game that featured some …
The New York Giants notched their first victory of the season last week,27-21 in New Orleans. It was a game that featured some impressive stats for Big Blue, topped by Daniel Jones’ 402 passing yards and Kenny Golladay’s 116 receiving yards. Also of note were Kadarius Toney’s six catches for 78 yards and John Ross’ 52-yard touchdown bomb. Even with Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton out, the Giants hardly were bereft of weapons. There were two stats that were depressing for the Giants, though. On 26 pass attempts for Saints quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, the Giants had zero sacks and zero quarterback hits. If those numbers repeat late Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, New York will get blown out of Jerry World by Dak Prescott and friends. But I don’t think that will be the case. The Giants were averaging two sacks a game before last week, and now every defensive player wearing blue will have a fire lit under his saddle. The Giants’ season thus far includes three final margins of six points or less. Dallas has played three close games out of four, and has Ezekiel Elliott (knee) and Amari Cooper (hamstring) on its midweek injury list. I’m looking for Jones to have a chance to win this one at the end and am happy to take the generous touchdown head start. The pick: Giants, +7. Having seen quite a few of these London games in recent years, I’ve gotten the idea that the team with more enthusiasm will have an edge, given the long trip and unfamiliar surroundings. I’m figuring that team will be the Jets, coming off their first victory last week against Tennessee. Not only did they sack Ryan Tannehill seven times, the way C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams were launching into Derrick Henry looked like a “Madden” video game. Atlanta is dangerous on screens and slants, but Matt Ryan doesn’t have the big horse at running back that the Jets will have to worry about, and also will be without top wideout Calvin Ridley.
