The New York Giants are still looking for their first home win of the season. Here are five keys to victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Earning their first home win of the season doesn’t seem likely to happen this week as the New York Giants take on one of the best teams in the league in the (6-3) Kansas City Chiefs. To add hilarity to desperation, Andy Reid’s group is coming off their BYE week.
If the Giants are going to pull off the upset, they must play four quarters of solid football and be disciplined.
Here are the five keys to victory for the New York Giants.
1. Don’t give up big plays in the passing game
Over the past two weeks, the Giants defense has given up touchdowns of 83, 67, 52 and 47 yards through the air. The Chiefs have one of the fastest receivers in the league in Tyreek Hill and perhaps the best tight end in football in Travis Kelce. So look for the Chiefs to challenge the Giants secondary deep a few times on Sunday with Hill and Kelce.
The Giants secondary must be discipline not get beat deep on Sunday as they have over the last two weeks or they have no chance of winning.
2. Get off to a positive start
Despite what they’ll say in public, the Giants are a team lacking confidence, especially after losing to a 0-9 team last week. It’s imperative that they get off to a positive start and not give up a quick score on defense, and for the offense to move the ball effectively.
If the Giants get off to a slow start the frustrated Giants fans will turn on them quickly with a chorus of boos, and things will go downhill from there.
3. Let Orleans Darkwa be the workhorse
One of the few positives for the Giants this season has been the play Orleans Darkwa. Darkwa is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and this week faces a Chiefs defense that is ranked 29th in run defense.
The lone time this season Darkwa had at least 20 carries, they won. On Sunday, they need to make sure he has at least 25 carries.
4. Eli Manning must not make mistakes
Last week against the 49ers with the Giants ahead 6-3 in the second quarter, Eli Manning had a crucial turnover in 49ers territory when he fumbled the ball while being sacked by Ronald Blair. The turnover changed the momentum of the game as the 49ers would score three plays later.
The Chiefs are a much better football team than the Giants, and if Manning turns the ball over the Giants have no chance of competing let alone winning. The Giants need for Eli to be elite on Sunday and not turn the ball over.
5. Watch out for special teams trickery
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has a tendency to try a few trick plays especially on special teams. The Giants should be familiar with this from Reid’s time as Eagles head coach from 1999-2012.
The Giants special teams unit has struggled mightily this year and Reid is well aware of it. The special teams unit must be alert for a surprise on-side or a reverse on a kick return because you can expect the Chiefs to do some trickery on Sunday.