The New York Giants have suffered two disappointing losses to kick off their 2020 NFL season. Sitting at 0-2 the Giants are heading into Week Three with a divided, upset fanbase. New York lost its best player, Saquon Barkley, to a season-ending injury in Week Two. They lost by a single possession after holding the Bears to 0 points in the second half of their Week Two contest. In Week Three, there is no more room for excuses and there is no more time for development: the Giants need to win.
Rookie head coach Joe Judge has kept his team fighting hard in games that result in losing efforts. Now, at home, against an injury-riddled San Fransisco 49ers team in Week Three, Joe Judge and the Giants need to come away with a win.
Their Easiest Opponent Yet
The Giants faced two of the best defenses in the NFL in Weeks One and Two. They were scheduled to go up against yet another dominant front-seven in Week Three, but they are dodging a bullet as San Fransisco’s powerful defense has suffered a number of critical injuries.
Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Richard Sherman, and Dee Ford are all out in Week Three (and some for much longer). On offense, Jimmy Garoppolo is unlikely to play, leaving Nick Mullens as the starting quarterback. The last time the Giants faced Nick Mullens and the 49ers, Eli Manning mounted a come-from-behind victory on primetime.
The Giants have no excuse not to beat the Nick Mullens-led 49ers again in 2020. Additionally, Mullens will be without the team’s starting running back, Raheem Mostert, who is currently twelfth in the NFL in rushing yards. Backup running back Tevin Coleman also did not participate in practice this week. And Mullens’s favorite target, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, has not practiced and did not play in Week Two.
New York is finally catching a break. After throwing their brand new coaching staff into the fire against two of the best teams in the NFL, the Giants are catching a break, going up against the most injured team in the NFL this week. The Fighting Joe Judges have no excuses left if they lose this game. This is one that they need to win, and one that they should win.