With their team at 1-8 and all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, New York Giants fans may be persuaded to do unthinkable things on Sunday…errands, housework, and even (gasp!) spending time with family.
Head coach Ben McAdoo, however, ensures fans that their Sunday afternoon will still be best well spent at MetLife Stadium, where the Giants will battle the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend (1:00 PM, CBS).
“We want your support. Come out, watch a great show,” McAdoo encouraged during his Friday morning press conference. “We plan on playing great football on Sunday and getting a win.”
Desperate to spare themselves from further agony, Giants fans have sold their tickets in droves for whatever they can get. Currently, prices on the fan ticket exchange website StubHub begin at $36 before taxes. In comparison, the cheapest ticket for Sunday’s showdown between the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors goes for $84.
That didn’t stop McAdoo from praising the fans, asking for their support as they take on an interconference contender.
“The fans have been nothing but great,” McAdoo said. “Our players want support, we need to give the fans something to cheer about.”
The Giants faithful, instead, offered jeers and snark when learning of McAdoo’s comments via social media.
Though the Chiefs (6-3) don’t exactly have a strong following in the Northeast, but their contending status could give their fans reason to make the trip to East Rutherford. December could be a new nightmare entirely for MetLife Stadium, which will be subjected to three more home games. As an added twist, each of those games are against their NFC East brethren from Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington, all of whom are currently in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. Four weeks ago, Seattle Seahawks fans pulled off a successful invasion of the Meadowlands, audibly cheering and chanting during their team’s 24-7 victory.
“We have a great home field advantage,” McAdoo said after the Seattle loss. “We need to work to take advantage of it.”
McAdoo offered several reasons for showing up on Sunday, namely several young players, namely tight end Evan Engram, who has tallied a touchdown in each of his past four games. His efforts will be rewarded on Sunday, as the first-round selection has been named one of the game day captains.
“We go through the roster each week and pull guys who we feel were working the way that we wanted to work, who were performing at a high level and are being good examples,” McAdoo said, explaining the captain selection process. “Evan has come in, he’s done everything that we’ve asked of him so far. He works hard, loves football and it shows.”
McAdoo also praised the development of the offensive line, namely tackle Ereck Flowers. After a brutal performance in Week 2’s home opener against Detroit, Flowers has allowed no sacks.
“Ereck is a young player who’s improving tremendously. He’s working at his craft. He seems to be taking a step each week,” lauded McAdoo. “He still has a ways to go fundamentally, just like everybody else playing in this league, and he’s still a young player, so he has a lot of upside.”
The second-year head coach also praised the development of center Brett Jones, who has jumped in the spot in the injury absence of Weston Richburg.
“Brett has always been prepared since the day he walked in the door. Smart player, works hard at his craft,” McAdoo said of Jones, the former CFL All-Star. “He’s strong in the weight room, the weight room is important to him, and he’s performed at a high level for us. He’s really done a nice job.”
Linebacker BJ Goodson (ankle) was also ruled out for Sunday, while yet another linebacker, Kelvin Sheppard (groin), is doubtful. One more from that group, Devon Kennard (quad) was listed as questionable, as was defensive tackle Damon Harrison (ankle), who left last weekend’s loss against San Francisco on a cart.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffMags5490