Just like the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New York Giants hired a new coach earlier this season. At the moment, it looked like Brain Daboll was going to oversee a lengthy rebuild but Big Blue is off to a good start and are currently 5-1.
While the Giants lack talent at several positions, they’re finding ways to win, which is the bottom line in any sport or competition. On the other hand, the Jags are a talented bunch that has come close to winning the last three weeks but ultimately fell short.
On Sunday, Jacksonville will have the chance to end a three-game losing streak. For that to happen, they’ll need to play complementary football and keep these five Giants in check.
No. 5 Giant the Jaguars must contain in Week 7: Dexter Lawrence, DT
You have probably heard that football games are won or lost in the trenches more times than you can count on but the reason people talk about it so much it’s because it’s true. If you can clog up running lanes and disrupt the pocket, your chances of winning will increase considerably.
The Jaguars’ offensive line has done a good (but not great) job of protecting Trevor Lawrence this season but they might have a tough time when the Giants come home. In particular, they could struggle to contain defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who has logged a team-high four sacks in 2022.
A first-round pick in the 2019 draft, Lawrence also has a monster Pro Football Focus overall grade of 90.5 Jaguars rookie center Luke Fortner will have his work cut out for him and if he struggles to contain the Giants standout, Lawrence could be in for a long day.
No. 4 Giant the Jaguars must contain in Week 7: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE
Dexter Lawrence isn’t the only Giant defensive lineman Jacksonville will need to account for Sunday. He’s the most dominant of the bunch but far from the only one. Leonard Williams, rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux and former Jaguar Jihad Ward will try to make Trevor Lawrence as uncomfortable as possible.
In particular, Thibodeaux should be incentivized to show the Jags made a mistake when they passed on him with the No.1 overall pick in the 2022 draft earlier this year. So far, the former Oregon Duck has only registered one sack this season but he’s already logged 12 total pressures in four games and has already become a mainstay of New York’s defense. With the Jags focusing their attention on Lawrence, Thibodeaux might have several favorable pass-rush opportunities.
No. 3 Giant the Jaguars must contain in Week 7: Richie James, WR
The Jags’ secondary will catch a break Sunday, with Giants wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney having been ruled out for the contest. Sure, Toney has been unavailable for most of the season but having him in the lineup would be huge for an offense that isn’t particularly stacked with playmakers.
Without two of their top targets, New York will need wide receiver Richie James to shine. A seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft, the Middle Tennessee State product signed with New York this year, and his 19 receptions currently rank second in the team. The Giants will need him to come up big Sunday if they want to beat the Jags.
No. 1 Giant the Jaguars must account for in Week 7: Daniel Jones, QB
Quarterback Daniel Jones hasn’t lived up to his draft billing but he’s certainly shown growth under head coach Brian Daboll, who is looking for ways to put him in a position to succeed, something his predecessor failed to do.
Jones isn’t playing at an elite level but he’s getting out of his own way and has done enough to help the G-Men win. In six games, the Duke product has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,021 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers but Jones’ got wheels and the Jags must account for his ability to scramble. He’s already racked up 236 yards and two rushing touchdowns this season, and the Jags must keep it in the pocket if they want to minimize his impact.
No. 1 Giant the Jaguars must account for: Saquon Barkley, QB
It’s no secret that the Giants’ offense runs through Saquon Barkley. After dealing with injuries the last two seasons, the second overall pick in the 2018 draft is back in the fold and showing how much of a playmaker he is. Not only has he toted the rock 119 times for 616 yards with four touchdowns but he’s also leading New York in receptions with 21.
Barkley was listed on the Giants’ injury report with a shoulder injury but he’s a full-go for Week 7. The Jags did a good job of neutralizing the Indianapolis Colts’ running game in Week 6 but had no answer for Dameon Pierce the game before. Stopping Barkley could go a long way toward deciding the outcome of the game, so Jacksonville’s front seven must show out on Sunday.