EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: Markus Golden #44 of the New York Giants reacts in the third quarter during their game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on October 06, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Veteran edge rusher Markus Golden is eager to face his old team when the New York Giants take on the Cardinals this Sunday.

In 2018, the New York Giants pass rush was near the bottom of the league. With just 30 sacks all year, Big Blue found themselves at 31st in the NFL in that department. This past offseason, the Giants front office was determined to change that, which thus led to the signing of Markus Golden.

A veteran pass rusher who racked up 12.5 sacks in 2016, Golden spent four years with the Arizona Cardinals to begin his career. For three of those seasons, the University of Missouri product was coached by defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who now runs the Giants defense. Now, it’s a new team-same coordinator type of situation for the fifth-year pro. Not to mention, Sunday will mark the inaugural time he’ll be playing against his former ballclub.

“It makes me excited,” Golden said when asked about the upcoming matchup, per Michael Eisen of the Giants official website. “I’m excited just to be able to go out there and compete against some of my old teammates.”

In just six regular-season games with his new team, Golden has solidified himself as one of the superior aspects of this defense. Heading into Week 7, he leads the team in sacks (five) and in tackles-for-loss (five).  Having signed just a one-year, $3.75 million contract, Golden is shaping up to be one of the better deals Dave Gettleman has closed since beginning his tenure as New York’s general manager.

The Giants head into their Week 7 game with the Arizona Cardinals sporting a 2-4 record. However, they’re just one game back in the NFC East division race. Both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are sporting 3-3 records heading into their matchup on Sunday night.

Big Blue and Arizona will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.