Lions vs. Giants Week 8 Scouting Report: Youth movement in New York
When the Giants have the ball
The Giants needed all of two games this season to decide that 2-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning was no longer the answer and that Jones should be thrust into a starter’s role. In five starts this year, the sixth overall pick has looked, well, like a rookie. He has thrown more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six), he’s completing just over 60% of his passes, and the team has lost three in a row after winning his first two starts. Jones is the future, but he is going through the requisite growing pains in the present.
Jones’ throwing targets this season are comprised of a mix of talented young players and highly paid veterans, none of whom cause defenses fits like departed star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. Speedy tight end Evan Engram is their leading receiver with 379 yards, but he is not even in the top 30 in the league in that area. Receiver Sterling Shepard hasn’t played since Week 5 with a concussion and former Lion Golden Tate has only played in three games due to a suspension.
The passing game is clearly a work in progress, and the Lions’ defensive backs would seem to have the upper hand here. However, a week after surrendering 337 passing yards and four touchdowns to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings, the Lions’ secondary will have a distinctly different look on Sunday. Cornerback Darius Slay reaggravated his hamstring injury against the Vikings and his status is up in the air, and without Diggs, the Lions will need other young safeties to emerge and fill the void.
The Giants’ most talented offensive player is running back Saquan Barkley, who missed three games this year with an ankle injury. He was able to register 18 carries last week in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals in his return. He is a generational talent at the position and would seem to be a complete mismatch for the Lions’ hapless run defense.
Detroit’s inability to stop the run has been a significant source of disappointment in 2019; they surrender fewer yards per game on the ground than only the winless Cincinnati Bengals. Can they turn it around before the season is lost?
Adding to the Lions’ woes on defense has been a complete lack of quarterback pressure. They have sacked the passer just once over the last three games, and have just ten on the season. Jones plays behind an unbalanced offensive line; they are strong in the middle but can be attacked at the tackle position. To that end, the Lions could use a breakout game from edge rusher Trey Flowers against veteran tackles Mike Remmers and Nate Solder. Jones is raw, but any NFL quarterback can find open receivers if afforded too much time in the pocket.