The New York Giants will look to win their fifth straight game as they take on the Chicago Bears (2-7) Sunday at MetLife stadium. Here are the keys.
Here are the five keys to victory for the New York Giants as they welcome in Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears:
1. Don’t turn the ball over
The Giants are a much better team than the Bears. This much is obvious. However, one way a team can lose to a team they should beat is by turning the ball over. The Giants have turned the ball over at least once in all of their nine games this season. If they don’t turn the ball over against a Bears, they’ll win by at least two touchdowns.
2. Get the ball to Odell Beckham Jr. often
Not only is Odell Beckham Jr. the Giants best offensive player, but getting him involved early in often will open up the entire offense. No matter what coverage the Bears defense is in, they do not have any answers for the Eli Manning to Beckham connection.
The Bears defense is giving up an average of 288 passing yards in their previous three games, and have allowed three 100 yard receivers this season. Expect another big game from Beckham.
3. Stop the run
The Bears will be without wide receiver Alshon Jeffery due to suspension, so they will rely heavily on running back Jordan Howard. Howard is second leading rusher among rookie running backs with 603 yards. So far this season, he has four 100 yard games. The Giants have the fifth-ranked run defense in the NFL and haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. If they can shut down the running game, the Bears will be in trouble.
4. Max protection
One of the few things the Bears do well is sacking the quarterback. The Bears have 24 sacks for the season which is eighth most in the NFL. With the Giants offensive line banged up, the Giants need to have their backs and tight ends stay in and help out in pass protection.
5. Get pressure on Jay Cutler
When teams are able to get pressure on Jay Cutler, he becomes uneasy in the pocket and will turn the ball over. Cutler has thrown at least one interception in three of the last four games he’s started, and the Giants pass rush is starting to come alive sacking quarterbacks 10 times during their winning streak.
Safety Landon Collins has an interception in each of the last three games. If the Giants are able to apply pressure to Cutler, he has a good chance of intercepting a pass in four straight games.
