Defense aims to ‘pick’ it up

The Giants hope to use the aggressiveness of Jameis Winston to their advantage Sunday, as they look to do something they have yet to accomplish in their 0-3 start to this season. They are one of six teams in the NFL without an interception.

“That’s something as a defense we’re looking to do more,’’ cornerback Eli Apple said. “I don’t think we have a pick yet this year. I think this is the week we’re really trying to get more turnovers, especially against somebody who’s definitely going to give us opportunities.’’

Winston has a big arm and is not afraid to use it. He will, as they say, throw his receivers open, daring defensive backs to make a play on the ball. His strength also can be his undoing. In last week’s 34-17 Buccaneers loss at Minnesota, Winston threw three intercept ions. He threw 18 last season.

“They’re explosive on the outside, they got some big threats as receivers, and Jameis is gonna try to force the ball and get it up any way he can,’’ Janoris Jenkins said.

The Giants had 17 interceptions in 2016 and, like everything else with this year’s team, the performance thus far is diminished. Apple has had trouble playing balls in the air and avoiding passinterference penalties. Jenkins missed one game with a sprained ankle. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has not been around the ball as often as in the past. Landon Collins has not been the all-encompassing threat he was last season. Darian Thompson has yet to show he is a ballhawk, and his tackling has been shaky.

“We h ave n ’ t got a ny i nte rce pt i ons ye t ,” Col - lins said. “[Winston] likes to squeeze balls into tight spaces, and when he does that, we have the ability to make plays on those type of balls,’’ Collins said.

“I feel like it has been a long time coming,’’ Thompson said. “We’re eager for it.”