5. HIGHLIGHT SHEPARD BUT DON’T ABANDON 12 PERSONNEL

Getting WR Sterling Shepard back healthy probably will tempt Ben McAdoo to go back to more three-wide receiver sets, but the coach shouldn’t do it and maybe keeping Sullivan as play-caller will assure McAdoo does not. The Giants run the ball better with two tight ends on the field, in strong blocker Rhett Ellison and dynamic rookie Evan Engram, and the formation also has kept defenses off balance against a Giants offense that, with three wide receivers, previously had been predictable and ineffective. Plus the Seahawks’ secondary is arguably their greatest strength, led by Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. Shepard looked quick in practice this week and is definitely a player the Giants want with the ball in his hands. But while he usually plays the slot, McAdoo should not hesitate to split him out wide opposite Roger Lewis Jr. or Tavarres King while sticking to the two-TE alignment. Winning battles at the line with the physical Seahawks ultimately will define the result.