New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has looked like a superstar in the making through the first two weeks of the season. However, he has not faced a challenge as intense as the one that could be coming up in Week 3.
Denzel Ward will be one of Nabers’ toughest matchups all season
In Week 3, the Giants will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns in a crucial matchup. Nabers is coming off an explosive, breakout performance last weekend. The Browns will have all of their attention focused on slowing down Nabers as the rookie prepares to match up against three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward.
Ward is among the best cornerbacks in the NFL. His 2024 season is also off to a hot start. Ward has surrendered only three receptions on 11 targets for 40 yards against him in coverage through the first two weeks of the season. He has also totaled four pass breakups and an 82.4 Pro Football Focus coverage grade. Ward has a 52.1 passer rating allowed.
Throwing against Ward is no easy task. The 27-year-old cornerback has totaled 15 interceptions across his seven-year NFL career. As far as the Giants’ 2024-25 opponents go, Ward will be among Nabers’ toughest matchups that he will face across the entirety of the regular season.
The Browns are “hopeful” that Ward will play in Week 3. He was only on the field for 11 snaps in Week 2 as he plays through a shoulder injury. But all signs point toward Ward playing this Sunday and matching up against Nabers.
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The Giants’ gameplan will be to feed Malik Nabers
The Giants fed Nabers in Week 2, sending 18 targets his way and spurring a breakout performance. He hauled in 10 of those targets for 127 yards and one touchdown. The Giants still fell short and lost to the Commanders by a final score of 18–21, however, Nabers kept them alive and fighting hard throughout the contest. He has become the identity of Big Blue’s offense and will continue to be fed going into Week 3.
Especially considering Ward might be limited in this matchup due to his shoulder injury, Nabers will continue to get the lion’s share of the Giants’ targets in the passing game. His 25 targets through two weeks rank third-most in the NFL.
Nabers currently ranks fourth in the NFL with 193 receiving yards through two weeks. He is averaging 2.51 yards per route run and 7.1 yards after the catch per reception so far this season. Getting Nabers the ball in space and letting him create yardage has been a point of emphasis for the Giants’ offense.
In Week 3, the Giants will aim to get Nabers another hefty dosage of targets whether Ward is matching up against him or not. Ward will serve as a challenging test for the Giants’ exciting rookie. However, iron sharpens iron, and Nabers certainly has enough talent to be competitive against the Browns’ elite coverage man.
