GIANTS DEFENSE
After struggling for six games, the Giants’ defense has finally started playing like the unit that carried the team last season.
It has given up 39 points in winning two of the last three games. The key factor has been third down. Carolina was limited to 2 of 15 in New York’s 25-3 win on Oct. 24. In a Monday night game at Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were 5 of 12 on third down, edging the Giants 20-17. Coordinator Pat Graham’s unit held a potent Raiders offense to 4 of 12 in a 23-16 win before the break.
The Giants are a plus-4 in the last three games in the turnover differential.
O-LINE STABILITY
For the first time this season, the Giants have started the same offensive line in three straight games: Matt Peart at left tackle, Matt Skura at left guard, Billy Price at center, Will Hernandez at right guard and Nate Solder at right tackle.
That might change this week with Andrew Thomas returning to practice after missing the last three games while on injured reserve with foot and ankle injuries.
Thomas has been the left tackle since being taken No. 4 overall in the 2020 draft. He was having an exceptional season before being hurt, so expect him back on the left side if he plays.
WE MISS ’EM
So much is made of the plethora of playmakers Brady has at his disposal, a group that includes receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Brown and tight ends Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.
With Brown (ankle) and Gronkowski (ribs) sidelined by injuries, though, the team’s depth has been tested.
“I think the other guys stepped up, but you take two great players out, possible Hall of Famers, yeah, you’re going to miss them,” Arians said.
The Bucs are 5-0 with Brown in the lineup this season, 1-3 without.
“Any time you take out a player of that caliber you’re going to miss him. I think Tyler (Johnson) has done a good job, but he’s not AB. There’s nobody that we’re going to put out there that’s AB,” Arians said. “When you have Mike (Evans), Chris (Godwin) and AB, you’ve got three No. 1s. That’s tough to defend.”
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AP Sports Writer Tom Canavan contributed to this report.
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