New York Giants: 3 players who need to step up against the Rams

The New York Giants have a tall task ahead of them, with the Los Angeles Rams standing in their path in week four. After three consecutive losses to open the season, the Giants are looking for a lively performance to showcase their abilities. However, their defeats have been ugly; notably, their loss to the 49ers last week, in which the defense allowed 36 points, and the offense didn’t take a single snap in the red-zone.

The Giants have been anything but exemplary this season, but with a new coaching staff in place and new schematics being introduced, it was always a pipe dream to believe they could be a contending team. The growing pains of a young squad learning a new system are problematic, and more experienced teams with veterans in place will always take advantage.

That is primarily why the Giants will likely get battered by the Rams, but they can at least remain competitive and show their will to fight after being embarrassed at home in week three.

Three New York Giants players who need to step up in week 4:

1.) Julian Love

The injury report this week indicates that starting strong safety Jabrill Peppers will likely not be available against the Rams. After suffering a low ankle sprain on an extra point attempt by the 49ers, Peppers went down in a heap of pain. He limped off the field under his own power but was unable to return. Low ankle sprains can take a few weeks to heal, and the Giants are lucky that is all he suffered. We all remember how difficult it was for Saquon Barkley to return after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nonetheless, I expect free safety Julian Love to move up into the box, considering he experienced reps there last season with the Giants. After Peppers went down with a season-ending hip injury, Love started and played in 100% of the final three games of the year. He can adequately fill the role, but I could also see the Giants putting Logan Ryan in that position alternatively.

Considering Love has been playing in the deep half of the secondary this year, he has done a good job mitigating any big plays from their opponents. However, the Giants have still managed to give up methodical drives to more experienced teams.

Love can get the job done, but I wouldn’t expect him to be playing at an All-Pro level. The Rams will take advantage of the young safety, but at the very least, he has the positional experience to hold his own for the time being.

2.) Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones’ performance in week three was problematic on multiple levels. On one side, he led the team in rushing yards with 49, but he also threw one interception and didn’t make it into the red-zone once. He had a disappointing 53% completion rate but was only sacked twice, which is the lowest this year, so far.

Jones set a career-low in accuracy against the 49ers, and the matchup was actually favorable for Big Blue considering San Francisco was missing so many players. Jones throwing up a dud in the contest was not motivating, but he can back up his tumultuous game with a strong outing against Los Angeles. A lot rides on the offensive line playing to their strengths, so offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has to do a better job getting the ball downfield and taking risks to open up opposing defenses.

3.) Andrew Thomas

Giants’ rookie tackle Andrew Thomas has had a tough start to his NFL career, currently earning a 55.5 overall grade on the season, per PFF. He has allowed one sack over 183 offensive snaps.

We have seen good and bad from the young tackle, with his counterpart Mekhi Becton looking far better early on. However, the Giants have had tough match-ups weekly. His induction into the NFL has been by fire, facing off against Bud Dupree, Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and Arik Armstead.

Things won’t get easier against Aaron Donald in week four, as the Rams have been using Donald across the defensive line this season. Thomas has the skill set to become a fantastic left tackle in the NFL, but his inception hasn’t been a smooth ride. A year of experience under his belt will do wonders, but he has been susceptible to inside moves. Relying on his fundamentals is a priority, and he has plenty of time to find his groove.