The New York Giants are set to face off against the San Francisco 49ers in week three of the 2020 regular season. Coming off two consecutive losses to open the year, the Giants will be looking for the first victory of the campaign, and the 49ers just might give it to them.
San Francisco is dealing with significant injuries on both sides of the ball and could be without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and they’ve already lost Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas to injured reserve. That is not to mention pass rusher Dee Ford are both likely out for the contest.
However, they will have tight end George Kittle for the contest against the Giants, but backup quarterback Nick Mullens will have a tough time against a surprisingly good defense for Big Blue.
Three keys for a New York Giants victory in week 3:
1.) Establish the run
The Giants must find a way to establish the run early on in week three against an injured 49ers defense. With Saquon Barkley out for the entire season with a torn ACL, they will rely on Wayne Gelman, Dion Lewis, and newly signed Devonta Freeman. I don’t anticipate Freeman gaining a lot of reps in his first game with the Giants, as he learns the playbook, but he could be factored into a chunk of designed plays.
I expect Gallman to receive the majority of the reps, having only touch the ball 29 times on the ground in 2019. Former head coach Pat Shurmur strayed from Wayne, the former Clemson stand out. Back in his rookie campaign in 2017, he rushed 111 times for 467 yards. He also picked up 193 yards through the air and one score.
While the talent drop-off from Barkley to Gallman is significant, we can expect the Giants to utilize a three-headed monster moving forward and play the hot hand. With the offensive line taking a step forward in week two against the Chicago Bears, I expect they will improve gradually against San Francisco.