The New York Giants have had some inconsistency in their wide receiver corps to begin the 2022 NFL season. Despite starting 2-0, the Giants’ offense has struggled to find an identity in the passing game. Projected starters Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney have both disappeared from the lineup at times as New York has opted to give other players a chance to prove their worth. But one receiver who has been a consistent, quality starter for the Giants is Sterling Shepard. Sterling Shepard could be a wide receiver that stands out against the Dallas Cowboys in Week Three.
Since his rookie season in 2016, Sterling Shepard has been a constant bright spot in the New York Giants offense. He has missed a lot of time with injuries, but Shepard looks as healthy as ever through the first two weeks of the season. Sterling’s 2021 season was cut short due to a torn Achilles, however, he has bounced back quickly and has been an impactful player in Brian Daboll’s offense. Entering the first divisional matchup of the season, the New York Giants need Sterling Shepard to maintain his level of play against the Dallas Cowboys.
Why Sterling Shepard could stand out in Week Three
The New York Giants will face off against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Not only is this the Giants’ first primetime game of the season, it is also their first matchup against a division rival. The Giants will need to bring their A-game if they want to improve their record to a 3-0 start. A win in week three would put the Giants undefeated in September for the first time since 2009. This hot start to the season is unusual for Big Blue, but if the team can keep it going they may find themselves in the mix for the playoffs later on in the season.
The Giants’ offense needs to start producing more points, though, in order to keep their wins coming in. Big Blue’s playmakers have been lacking to start the season. Saquon Barkley turned in an elite performance in Week One, but the Giants’ wide receivers are struggling to create production. Sterling Shepard has been relatively productive, hauling in eight receptions on fourteen targets for 105 yards and one spectacular touchdown. As the Giants’ most reliable and productive wide receiver, Shep could be in line for a big game on Monday.
Sterling Shepard is a dependable receiver in the underneath portions of the field. He is also an excellent weapon to be utilized in the red zone. Shep’s route running and reliable hands make him the perfect receiver to target within scoring distance. He also has the ability to play from the slot or out wide, making him a versatile chess piece down in the red zone. The New York Giants’ offense needs to score more points in the redd zone, and Sterling Shepard is the perfect player to increase that productivity.