This week”s matchup between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears is more about preserving pride than making playoff pushes. As the Giants travel to Chicago, they face a team committed to the run under head coach Ben Johnson, who has emphasized the importance of a strong ground game. The Bears recently showcased their rushing prowess with a staggering 283 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Giants, led by general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, have struggled to stop the run this season. In their last two games, they allowed 276 rushing yards to the Philadelphia Eagles and 159 yards to the San Francisco 49ers. With snow in the forecast for Saturday night and Sunday morning, the Bears are poised to take advantage of the conditions and push forward.
Defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns understand the urgency of the situation. Lawrence stated, “When we”re in the right spots, we gotta make those plays.” This sentiment echoes a frustration shared by many defensive players who are tired of being overpowered in recent games.
Burns, who leads the NFL with 11 sacks, expressed his desire to rush the passer but acknowledged that stopping the run must come first. “You can”t rush until you stop the run,” he said. This week, the Giants will need to shift their focus to executing plays effectively, as emphasized by safety Jevon Holland. He stated that execution is key, and players must do their jobs to succeed.
In addressing the Giants” defensive challenges, Daboll mentioned the possibility of making adjustments to their scheme. Lawrence hinted that the team has been working on strategic changes to better position themselves against the run. Holland added that discussions during defensive meetings center on both accountability and potential adjustments to counter the opposing offense”s tactics.
Recent performances against opposing teams” star running backs have been troubling. Saquon Barkley recorded 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Christian McCaffrey added 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Giants. Additionally, backup running backs from both the Eagles and 49ers found success against the Giants, raising concerns about their run defense effectiveness.
The upcoming game poses a significant challenge, particularly with the emergence of Bears” backup running back Kyle Monangai, who recently ran for 176 yards against the Bengals. Even with injuries affecting their roster, the Bears remain confident in their ground attack.
Holland stressed the importance of stopping the run early in the game. “You just have to stop the run first,” he explained, indicating that early success in run defense could force the Bears to abandon their ground game and rely more on passing, allowing the Giants” pass rush to take control.
Despite the Bears” commitment to the run, their average of 29.37 rushing attempts per game places them among the top teams in the league. Meanwhile, the Giants” defense continues to struggle, allowing the worst average of 5.5 yards per carry. This week”s game against the Bears is a critical moment for the Giants to turn their defensive performance around.
Injury concerns loom over the Giants as kicker Graham Gano did not practice due to a neck issue, following a missed field goal attempt in the previous game. The lengthy injury report also includes cornerback Paulson Adebo and center John Michael Schmitz, among others, which could impact the team”s preparations ahead of this crucial matchup.
The Giants are aware of the task ahead. As they prepare to face a strong rushing offense, it is clear that they need to step up and execute their game plan effectively to halt their recent struggles.
