Consistency in the secondary
This has been a glaring issue for the Giants throughout the season. The secondary will take one step forward, but then five steps back after blowing an assignment, where it seems like they have no clue what they are doing.
Prime example last week against the Packers. Antoine Bethea and Corey Ballentine broke up a deep Aaron Rodgers pass perfectly but it was negated by a penalty. Earlier in the game, Bethea gave up a touchdown to Allen Lazard in quarters coverage. Ballentine was showing improvement before suffering a concussion, which forced Grant Haley back into the slot corner position, which Rodgers took advantage of for the remainder of the afternoon.
Janoris Jenkins voiced his displeasure in the defensive scheme since he is not able to shadow the top receiver of his opponent. The hope is that Bettcher will listen to Jenkins this week and allow him to follow Alshon Jeffrey throughout the game.
The Eagles also have Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert (four drops), who are receiving threats at the tight end position. With Jabrill Peppers out, rookie safety Julian Love will take on this assignment with Antoine Bethea.
Love has played well in his last two games picking up his first career interception and scoring above an 80 Pro Football Focus grade each week. Against the Packers, he was the highest graded Giant at 83.0. He also showed off his versatility playing 39 snaps in the box, 10 in the slot, 9 at free safety, and rushed the passer four times.
Snap detail for Love:
2 at Edge
39 in the box
10 at slot corner
3 wide corner
9 at free safety
4 total pass rushesQuite versatile
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) December 2, 2019
Sam Beal and DeAndre Baker continue to split time each week with Beal’s snaps steadily increased since being activated in Week 10. The pair will most likely be called upon to lock-down Eagles receivers Nelson Agholor and JJ Arcega Whiteside.
If the secondary stays on the same page and gets help from their front seven in putting pressure on Wentz, they could have a bounce back week against a struggling Eagles offense.