When will the New York Giants’ struggles end?
They’ve only made the playoffs once after winning Super Bowl XLVI and suffered seven losing seasons in nine years.
Eli Manning isn’t calling the shots anymore, and Daniel Jones makes Giants fans wish they still had the two-time Super Bowl winner.
Joe Judge looks lost in his two seasons of running the team.
It doesn’t help that those injuries to their top players depleted their roster for six games and counting.
The Giants have been hit by a brutal rash of injuries. But as Dave Gettleman once said, "Hurt guys get hurt." So it shouldn't be treated as a shock that so many of their playmakers have missed time with injuries: https://t.co/TyNr8zrxQR pic.twitter.com/bC7ImKQ8et
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) October 22, 2021
The list goes on as Evan Engram, John Ross, Sterling Shepard, and Darius Slayton might miss their Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers due to calf and hamstring injuries.
Worst, Saquon Barkley, Kadarius Toney, and Kenny Golladay will be out of action.
Jones will have the impossible task of leading the Giants’ offense with most of his top weapons sidelined.
Will they even score non-garbage time points this time?
If there’s any consolation, the Panthers are also struggling ever since Christian McCaffrey sat out their last three games due to a hamstring injury.
Christian McCaffrey to his fantasy managerspic.twitter.com/nNu5O89aPe
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 8, 2021
But the Giants are in for more trouble as left tackle Andrew Thomas joined their injured reserves after injuring his ankle in Week 6.
Players ruled OUT vs the Panthers:
-Saquon Barkley
-Andrew Thomas
-Kadarius Toney
-Kenny GolladayMay the football gods save Daniel Jones's life.
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) October 22, 2021
Matt Peart will have big shoes to fill as he takes over from Thomas in blocking Haason Reddick and Brian Burns.
A Stone Wall At Left Tackle
Thomas is only one of five offensive tackles who haven’t allowed a quarterback sack this season.
That’s an impressive achievement for the sophomore lineman from Georgia.
He spent three years with his hometown Bulldogs and became a two-time First-Team All-SEC and a First-Team All American.
In his final year in college, Thomas became a Unanimous All-American and a Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient.
The play of Andrew Thomas really helped the offense take a jump over the first 4 games of the season. You’ve seen how they’ve regressed since. Such a shame because Thomas was proving he was the best tackle of the class and now, gets put on the back burner.
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) October 19, 2021
The Giants selected him with the fourth overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, behind Joe Burrow, Chase Young, and Jeff Okudah.
His undeniable talent prompted offensive line coach Marc Colombo to name him a starter since his NFL debut.
However, Matt Peart took over from him in Week 6 when he came in late during a team meeting.
Thomas regained his starting role a week later and never looked back.
Only tackles to allow single-digit pressures and zero sacks this season
🍎 Andrew Thomas
🏴☠️ Tristan Wirfs
🟣 Brian O’Neill
🔺 Jake Matthews
🗽 George Fant pic.twitter.com/mSG1eungiS— PFF (@PFF) October 20, 2021
Ironically, Peart will start again for Thomas versus Carolina.
Nate Solder and Korey Cunningham will also take turns in protecting Jones’ blindside.
The Giants Are In Trouble
Big Blue will be facing a Panthers defense that ranks sixth in points allowed per game at 20.2.
They also surrender the second-least passing yards every match at 196.8.
The Panthers may even improve on that department because of Stephon Gilmore’s 2021 debut.
Phil Snow’s crew also feature Reddick with 6.5 sacks, third-most in the NFL, and Burns with three sacks.
Serious question, how on earth is Daniel Jones supposed to succeed without Andrew Thomas, Toney, Golladay, or Saquon on the field?
May I remind people of Mahomes in the Super Bowl with backup tackles in?
It’s a legit excuse.
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) October 19, 2021
Therefore, Peart, Solder, and Cunningham will have their hands full all game.
Carolina will abuse this weakness in New York’s offensive line by sending constant pressure against the left tackle.
When they break down the protection, Jones has no chance to execute their plays.
The Giants will most likely use a zone blocking scheme to neutralize the Panthers pass rush.
Instead of picking up certain people, their offensive linemen will block whoever’s in front of them.
Despite the changes in their strategy, losing Thomas is a big casualty because he won certain battles against Aaron Donald last week.
Trying to find some enjoyable content for you guys to enjoy and look what I found here!!
Andrew Thomas absolutely stonewalling Aaron Donald — god you just love to see this! pic.twitter.com/GKsDwfavij
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) October 19, 2021
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year ended up with 0.5 sacks against the Giants.
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