Giants ‘D’ faces big test
New York will take on fearsome Chiefs
After waiting seven weeks for his defense to play an outstanding game, New York Giants coordinator Pat Graham told his unit the same thing he does at the start of every week.
Just forget last week. Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers won’t be the opponent when the Giants (2-5) take the field on Monday night in Missouri. The guys on the other side of the ball will be the struggling Kansas City Chiefs (3-4.)
While Andy Reid’s team has lost twice as many regular-season games as it did last season, the cast is as scary as ever on offense with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
“I can’t even begin to go down the list of all the different weapons they have,” Graham said Thursday. “It’s numerous, plus they have the best player in the league at the quarterback spot. It’s hard, it’s going to be hard, and the best offensive minds between coach Reid and coach (Eric) Bieniemy (the offensive coordinator). It’s going to be a challenge. This is the most explosive offense, I think.”
The Giants’ defense has struggled against good offenses. Denver and Washington had 400-plus yards in wins. Matthew Stafford of the Rams threw for four touchdowns. Dak Prescott threw for three TDS and the Cowboys had 515 total yards. New York rebounded last weekend, limiting Carolina to 173 yards and three points.
More Giants: RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), WRS Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle), LB Lorenzo Carter (ankle) and special teams star Nate Ebner (ankle) did not practice. WR Sterling Shepard, who missed last week with a hamstring injury, expects to play.
Packers 24, Cardinals 21: Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb and Green Bay knocked off previously unbeaten Arizona after Kyler Murray’s stunning late interception. The Cardinals looked like they were going to rally to win their eighth straight game, but Murray threw an interception on second-and-goal with 12 seconds left. A.J. Green didn’t expect the pass to come his way and Green Bay’s Rasul Douglas was there to snatch it.
Broncos: Star receiver Jerry Jeudy has had a good week of practice and is set to return to action Sunday vs. Washington.
Browns: Starting quarterback Baker Mayfield practiced for the second straight day and tested his injured shoulder while wearing pads and a new harness as he tries to get ready to play Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Saints: Coach Sean Payton says running back Mark Ingram is slated to practice with New Orleans on Friday and is “absolutely” expected play against Tampa Bay this weekend.
Notes: The NFL has instituted some policy changes to the Rooney Rule designed to further enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring practices. The rule has been expanded to require teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for Gm/executive of football operations positions, and all coordinator roles.