The Chargers are set to take on the Giants on Dec. 12 at 1:05 pm PT in hopes of extending their season record to 8-5.
Here are four important things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 14 bout.
Who’s under center?
After sustaining a neck injury, the Giants will be without starter Daniel Jones for the second-straight week. The team could also be without his backup, Mike Glennon, who is in concussion protocol following last Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins. Therefore, New York has begun preparing second-year Jake Fromm and Brian Lewerke to start. Neither Fromm nor Lewerke has taken a regular-season snap since entering the league.
Not the same back
Saquon Barkley took the league by storm upon entering the NFL in 2018. However, since an ACL tear early into the 2020 season, Barkley has not been the same player since then. He has 84 carries for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns and 30 catches on 40 targets for 193 yards and a score through eight games. But, whether it be due to a mental funk that he can’t shake from the injury or incompetency along the offensive line, Barkley does not pose the same threat that he once did.
Offensive line incompetency
The Giants’ offensive struggles are due to a few factors, but one of them lies in the trenches. Most recently, New York allowed three sacks to the Dolphins, which marked the sixth time in the last seven games the team allowed multiple sacks. Furthermore, the Giants gave up 16 quarterback pressures and eight quarterback hits. Coming off a performance that consisted of 27 pressures and six sacks, the Chargers could have their way upfront.
Defensive dominance
While the Giants haven’t been able to produce offensively at an efficient rate, the defense has been able to keep them in games. They have surrendered 20 or fewer points in the last six contests in all but one game (Buccaneers). In addition, New York has been a ball magnet, with 19 takeaways, which is tied for seventh in the NFL. Joe Judge, who comes from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, enforces a lot of nickel and dime packages to hone in on opposing quarterbacks.