New York Giants vs Arizona Cardinals What to Watch For

Today the New York Giants fly out to Arizona to take on the Arizona Cardinals. The New York Giants are coming fresh off a big win vs their rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, for their first win vs the Eagles in the last six games. The Giants are widely considered the more talented team, but will there be an emotional let down this week after they travel across the country to take on an ‘inferior’ opponet. Vegas thinks so as of the time of writing this (Friday) the Giants are only -1 vs the Cardinals.

As always here at NFLmocks were always interested in the younger players, so we’ll focus on them.

Injury Report:

New York Giants

The Giants are starting to get a little healthier. Even though Justin Tuck has said he “feels like crap” and has a groin injury and a lingering neck stinger, he’s likely to suit up on Sunday. Osi Umeniyora also expects to make his season debut. Hakeem Nicks is also proable to play.

Out:

Prince Amukamara (foot), Brandon Stokley

Questionable:

Zak De Ossie (long snapper), Justin Tuck (neck/groin), Osi Umeinyora (knee).

The Cardinals:

Jim Dray is out

Questionable:

Beanie Wells, LaRod Stephen Howlings, Chansi Stuckey

Patrick Peterson vs Hakeem Nicks/Mario Manningham/Victor Cruz

I actually haven’t watched the Cardinals enough to know how Patrick Peterson is being used as an every down option. This well I’ll pay attention. Is Peterson going to remain on one side of the field lined up vs the same player over and over, are the Cardinals moving around.

Hakeem Nicks and/or Mario Manningham will be big tests for Peterson this week. Each has a different style of game. Nicks is physical, a tremendous route runner, and has deceptive speed. Mario Manningham is one of the quickest and most elusive wide receivers in the league. He isn’t the greatest route runner though. How will Peterson match up vs two of the better wide receivers in the league. That’ll be an interesting matchup to watch.

Based on the depth chart is seems Peterson will get a heavy dose of Hakeem Nicks. Nicks is an excellent route runner and savvy player who can go deep, intermediate, and short. Peterson will have his hands full. He’s talented though. I’m very excited to watch that matchup.

Arizona Cardinals, NT Dan Williams vs the Interior of the Giants offensive line

The New York Giants have had some communication issues in the middle of their offensive line with the off-season releases of Shaun O’hara and Rich Suebert. Recently signed David Baas is playing center now and former LT David Diehl has taken all the snaps at LG. However, the middle of the line hasn’t been great. Dan Williams didn’t make any starts last year after being taken in the first round, but has started all three games this season. And he has 5 tackles and a pass deflection. I’m interested to see how well he’s progressing and whether or not the Giants can get their communication issues worked out. Right now the Giants are only averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Cardinals Beanie Wells vs New York Giants Linval Joseph and Greg Jones

I know Linval Joseph and Greg Jones won’t face up against Linval Joseph directly, but Joseph and Jones are the two young Giants defensive players who are responsible for controlling the middle of the field. Greg Jones didn’t see the field much last week because the Giants played the Eagles who like to spread the field a lot. This week could be a big game for him. If Wells plays, he could be the key to the Cardinals success. Well is averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season. The Giants run defense is giving up about 98 yards per game this season.

Time of Possession

This is not about any certain players, but the Cardinals are only holding the ball for an average of 26:50 seconds per game, which is not good. The Giants want to pound the football, and while they like to take a lot of shots downfield in the passing game, they are also trying to control the ball more to limit their turnovers. The Giants are playing a lot of reserves in their defense because of injuries and keeping the defense off the field is the best way to keep the defense humming.

Jacquian Williams’ Continued Progression

If you’re a N.F.L. fan and haven’t seen any Giants games yet, watch number 57 Jacquian Williams for the New York Giants. This guy is really emerging for a young player. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Giants (a pick no one really liked…he wasn’t ranked on any draftnik’s website that I saw and none of the draft analysts had much to say about him during the draft), and has been the Giants best rookie this season. More impressive than Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones, or Spencer Paysinger who all went to huge schools and were big names in college. Williams is second in the league in tackles for rookies with 19. He plays fast and is always around the ball. He’s undersized, but is also a pretty good blitzer. I’m interested to see how long he can keep up his quality play, or if he is just a young flash in the pan.

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