The New York Giants look to even their record to 2-2 against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. Washington, coming off a disastrous Monday night loss to the Bears, look to avoid falling to 0-4. Last week against the Buccaneers, the Giants’ offense broke through for the first time this season. One of the biggest contributors on the offensive side of the ball this season thus far has been third-year Tight End, Evan Engram. Engram, coming off of a game where he posted 113 yards on 6 catches and scored a touchdown, looks to continue his success against a struggling Washington defense. There is little reason to expect Engram to slow down at all in week 4, and here’s why:
Why Evan Engram Will Have a Big Game Against Washington:
The success he’s had this year
Engram is off to one of the best starts of any pass catcher in the league this season. Through three games, he has posted 277 yards on 23 catches, both top-ten in the NFL. With the Giants being thin at the wide receiver position, Engram has stepped up largely. He trails only the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce in every major statistical category for tight ends.
Last week against Tampa Bay, Engram showcased what he is capable of doing with the ball in his hands. On the first play of the third quarter, Engram caught a pass and took it 75 yards for the score. The touchdown was the longest by a tight end in Giants franchise history. Expect the Giants to target him early and often on Sunday.
Washington’s struggling defense
The Redskins are off to an 0-3 start. No part of their team looks impressive to this point in the season. Their defense has been giving up over 400 yards per game, 260 of them through the air. The Giants’ offense has been putting up 408 yards per game through the first three games of the 2019 campaign. Simply put, the Giants offense as a whole will have their way with Washington’s defense.
Landon Collins’ poor play in coverage
Engram specifically will have a superb game though. He will be most likely be covered by former Giant, Landon Collins. Collins signed with the Redskins this offseason on a 6-year, $84 million deal, making him the highest-paid safety in the history of the NFL. One of the biggest reasons Collins was not brought back to Big Blue was his poor play in coverage.
During his time in New York, Collins struggled mightily while playing in coverage. Big plays to tight ends were extremely common when he played for the Giants. Engram will benefit from his former teammate’s poor play. With a player who struggles to cover tight ends on him for most of the game, a defense that is bottom ten in the league as a whole, and his production thus far this season, expect Engram to have a field day on Sunday.