Reinforcements could jumpstart Giants’ run game
For as much as playing on a short week hurt the Giants (7-4) in their Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys, an extra three days to prepare for this Sunday’s home game against Washington (7-5) could not have come at a better time.
The Giants are expected to have three offensive starters back in tight end Daniel Bellinger (eye), right tackle Evan Neal (knee) and left guard Ben Bredeson (knee), which could jumpstart their rushing attack.
All three players have been out since sustaining injuries in Jacksonville on Oct. 23, when the Giants rushed for 236 yards in a 23-17 win. Neal practiced in full Wednesday and Thursday, while Bellinger was limited and Bredeson has been designated to return from injured reserve.
“I would just say, in general, looks promising for quite a bit of guys,” head coach Brian Daboll said.
New York has topped the century mark in rushing only once in the four games since those injuries — against Houston, the NFL’s worst run defense. Saquon Barkley is averaging 3.6 yards per carry in the last six games overall, compared to 5.5 yards per carry in the first five games.
Barkley also tweaked his shoulder in Week 5, and that has likely contributed to his lack of explosiveness lately. But there’s little doubt that the Giants’ power running schemes have been less effective with the recent injuries.
The Giants also might have starting center Jon Feliciano (neck) back, which could shift Nick Gates over to left guard and Bredeson to the bench. Bredeson started the first seven games but Gates performed well as a starter again in Dallas after a long road back from injury.
The bottom line: The Giants have some depth up front for the first time in a long time, which is a good problem for the coaches to have.
“I think it’s a combination of trusting it, all of us — players and coaches trusting it — executing it, getting the right fundamentals and techniques,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said of the running
game’s recent struggles. “That’ll just come with the work and that’s why we’re coming to practice today with a good mentality, a good attitude and I think we can clean up a lot of those things that we’ve been missing the last couple of weeks.”
Running the ball was the bedrock of the Giants’ offense during the team’s 6-1 start, and it’s imperative that Barkley returns to being a dynamic play-maker in order for New York to secure a playoff spot.
It will be interesting to see how the team’s improved health and coaching adjustments pan out in what shapes up as the first of two
huge games against the Commanders in the Wild Card race.
Washington allows the eighthfewest rushing yards per game (108.4) and boasts four first-round picks on its defensive line: Chase Young, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat.
Payne and Allen are arguably the league’s top defensive tackle duo.
“I’d probably say they’re the two best players on their defense,” Gates said. “That whole front, that defensive line is where they make plays on the field. I feel like they do the same thing: They’re going to want to get after the passer, rush, and
pin their ears back and that’s what they want to do.”
Young has yet to play this season after tearing his ACL last year, but he returned to the active roster Nov. 21 and has been limited in practice so far this week.
The Giants may also have one of their top pass rushers back as Azeez Ojulari was designated to return from injured reserve. Ojulari has not played since Week 4 because of a calf injury, and the Giants have yet to have Ojulari, firstround pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence all on the field together.