The New York Giants will take on the Chicago Bears today hoping to get a much-needed victory on the road. Here are the most critical adjustments to make going into the matchup.
Tight Coverage
The New York Giants defense will be facing Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback. He’s mostly known for throwing to his first read near the line of scrimmage. The third-year quarterback is continuing to struggle with downfield passing with only 5.6 yards per attempt in 2019. If James Bettcher continues to line defensive backs up nearly ten yards off the line of scrimmage this plays into Trubisky’s strength as a passer. Forcing Trubisky to hold the ball another second or two would also help the Giants pass-rushers.
If Saquon Barkley is healthy, Prove it
As most New York Giants fans recall, Saquon Barkley was a crucial factor in beating the Chicago Bears last year. He totaled 146 yards including a big-gain leading up to halftime resulting in an unexpected field goal. This Bears defense isn’t quite what it was last year, either. While they’ve been up and down in rushing yards allowed, they’ve allowed ten rushing touchdowns in ten games. The Giants have also been expected by many to involve Saquon Barkley as a pass-catcher more often. This would help Daniel Jones against a ball-hawking secondary featuring Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara.
Win the turnover battle
With Daniel Jones having 21 turnovers in 9 games protecting the football should be the top priority for the rookie. The Chicago Bears still have a dangerous defense, even if they’ve taken a step back from last year. The New York Giants defense is getting a break as far as opposing quarterback talent. Playing a clean game on offense would most likely be an advantage. In a game that is expected to be low-scoring, protecting the football and winning the field-position battle are crucial factors.