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The New York Giants face the New York Jets in Week 8. Here are the five biggest storylines to follow for this contest.
The New York Giants (2-5) play host to the New York Jets (3-3) this Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Here are five storylines we are following ahead of the Week 8 clash.
The New York Giants’ offensive line has been far from great in recent weeks but they have been better, drawing the praise of Brian Daboll.
The New York Giants snapped their four-game losing streak on Sunday with a gritty, 14-7, win over the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants improved to 2-5 on the year and quite possibly saved their season in the process.
Head coach Brian Daboll has taken a ton of criticism this season but he has not taken his eye off the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I’ve said this before, it’s an up-and-down league. It’s a humbling league, but if you can stay consistent with your approach,” Daboll told reporters after the game. “You make slight adjustments and your belief in the players. It’s not for everybody, you gotta be able to do that. It’s not gonna be perfect all the time and there’s definitely gonna be some struggles and again, one week has nothing to do with the next week.
“So, whether we lost a close game to the Bills, we won this close game tonight, it really has no bearing on what we do next week to keep a consistent attitude, to work with great intention. That’s what’s important to get ready for a game that’s gonna be difficult every week regardless of who you play and focus on your job and putting the team first. Again, it’s not always easy, but that’s what the job requires.”
One of the biggest challenges has been along the offensive line, where seven of the nine players that made the final roster out of training camp are either on IR, off the roster, or on the sidelines nursing an injury.
The makeshift offensive line has been holding up despite the loss of both starting tackles (Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal) and stud rookie center (John Michael Schmitz).
On Sunday, the Giants went with Justin ‘straight off the couch’ Pugh at left tackle and Tyre Phillips — signed off the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad last week — at right tackle.
Ben Bredeson filled in again at center with Mark Glowinski and Marcus McKethan at guard.
“They’re pros, the guys that were out there tonight, and they worked extremely hard during the week and a couple of days at practice, we were moving guys around and we settled on it say Thursday of how it was gonna go and if (tackle) Evan (Neal) could go, and if he could go, then we had another kind of line up change, if you would. But (offensive linemen coach) Bobby (Johnson) has met with those guys early and late, and he have a kind of revolving door there. Tough competitors,” he said.
Daboll was asked how he settled on the configuration of the line.
“It’s something we talked about as a coaching staff. I think the communication was better. Just having Pugh, a veteran, Bredeson and Glow(inski) kind of opposite because they worked together as well,” he said. “With Tyre back and he was only back for a week, some code words and things like that, even though he picked up, I’d say almost all of it on the way back, it’s still helpful to have someone right next to him that’s been out there and done it, veteran wise.”
Thomas is likely to return this week at left tackle, which will send the line into yet another iteration — the eighth in as many games. We’ll find out later in the week if Neal and Schmitz will play as well.
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Whose stock is up and whose is down following the New York Giants’ Sunday afternoon victory over the Washington Commanders?
The New York Giants ended a four-game losing streak on Sunday, taking down the Washington Commanders by a score of 14-7 at a very windy MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Big Blue’s defense stole the show, recording six tackles an an interception of Sam Howell, while the offense started hot and then sputtered.
With the win, the Giants improved to 2-5 on the season and kept their slim (and fading) playoff hopes alive.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the Week 7 win? Let’s take a look.
Here’s a look at the studs and duds (and studly duds) from a 14-7 win for the New York Giants against the Washington Commanders in Week 7.
The New York Giants entered a Week 7 game against the Washington Commanders fully aware that a loss would not only end their season (unofficially) but potentially result in some players being traded.
For at least one week, they avoided that.
In a game that was a tale of two halves, the Giants’ defense held on late and was able to stop a Washington drive inside the 10-yard line with the threat of overtime looming.
It wasn’t pretty given how dominant the Giants looked early, but there are no style points in the NFL. And for a team that only had one win entering the game, they’ll take the dub.
Here’s a look at some of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from the team’s latest win.
The New York Giants face the Washington Commanders in Week 7. Here are the five biggest storylines to follow for this contest.
The New York Giants (1-5) host the Washington Commanders (3-3) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon is an NFC East matchup that could determine the direction the Giants will go the rest of the season.
Here are five storylines to follow in Week 7.
This week on the Giants Wire Podcast, we discuss Brian Daboll’s clock management, Tyrod Taylor’s blunder and the return of Justin Pugh.
This week on the Giants Wire Podcast, we discuss New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and his questionable clock management, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and his Week 6 brain fart, and how both contributed to a loss.
And what do we make of NFL officials? Are they too desperate for face time in prime time? Should Giants fans be angry at the penalty that wasn’t called or the many non-penalties that were called?
Let us not overlook offensive lineman Justin Pugh, who came “straight off the couch” to help stabilize the Giants’ offensive line after a brief hiccup.
Those topics (and more) are discussed in the latest episode of the Giants Wire Podcast, which is hosted by Ryan O’Leary (@RyanOLearySMG on Twitter) and joined by site editor Dan Benton (@TheGiantsWire).
The Giants Wire Podcast will air every week during the regular season and occasionally throughout the offseason. You can listen below:
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Don’t forget to use our playlist to enhance your listening experience:
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Justin Pugh is back with the New York Giants and, apparently, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld is to thank for that.
On Wednesday, just a few short days removed from his return to the field as an activated practice squad member, offensive lineman Justin Pugh was signed to the New York Giants’ 53-man roster.
For Pugh, it was a full-circle moment. He had returned to where it all started as a first-round pick in 2013.
“I look out there and it’s Von Miller. The last time I played for the Giants was six years ago to the day against Von Miller, Sunday Night Football, when he was with the Denver Broncos, and I had to go out to right tackle on a whim that week,” Pugh told reporters. “So, there have just been so many crazy things that have brought this thing all full circle and I don’t know what it is, there is something in the air.”
Pugh had always desired a reunion with the Giants and after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, that hope became a reality.
“Look, there was never anything that I wanted to do (more) than sign here. My whole goal was to come here, prove I’m healthy,” Pugh said. “So now, I get to wrap this thing up as a Giant.”
Although Pugh got his wish, it didn’t come without some odd and unexpected interventions. Other teams were reaching out and trying to bring him in but a chance encounter with legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld ultimately sealed Pugh’s fate.
It was always meant to be New York.
“Before I even signed here, I had other options,” Pugh said. “Honestly, this is all Jerry Seinfeld’s fault.
“I was at a restaurant, Torrisi, in New York, like, four months ago over the summer. My wife and I are sitting there with some friends and across from us is Jerry Seinfeld. I hear his voice, and it was the most quintessential New York moment of all time. I remember texting my agent, like, ‘Text the Giants, I want to come back.’ So, really, if it wasn’t for Jerry Seinfeld, I don’t know if I’d be here right now. He’s the greatest. He’s the G.O.A.T.”
At that moment, Pugh knew it was going to be Giants or bust. And then even more stars aligned.
“From that point forward, I knew I wanted to come back here. Everything worked out perfectly. They played in Arizona. They stayed there for a week. I came and worked out 10 minutes from my house. They called me right after that, I fly in here. The way I started, it was just meant to be,” Pugh said.
And just like that, straight off the couch, Pugh is back and starting for the Giants.
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The New York Giants have signed OL Justin Pugh to their active roster and waived TE Lawrence Cager.
The New York Giants officially added offensive lineman Justin Pugh to the active roster on Wednesday.
To make room for Pugh, the team waived tight end Lawrence Cager.
Justin Pugh has been signed to the active roster.
Lawrence Cager has been waived. pic.twitter.com/UxWcrtJSno
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 18, 2023
Pugh was signed as a free agent by the Giants to their practice squad on October 3 and was elevated to the active roster last Sunday for the game against the Bills in Buffalo.
Pugh played the entire game, first at left guard and then sliding over to left tackle after Joshua Ezeudu was lost to a toe injury in the first half.
This is Pugh’s second stint with the Giants. He was the team’s top draft pick back in 2013, selected 19th overall out of Syracuse. He started 64 games over six seasons for Big Blue, playing both guard and tackle before signing as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
Pugh joins two other free agent linemen the Giants recently added — Joshua Miles and Tyre Phillips — on the roster, bringing the total number of offensive linemen to 11.
If Cager clears waivers, he is likely to sign back to the Giants’ practice squad.
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The New York Giants have placed OL Joshua Ezeudu on IR and signed OL Tyre Phillips from the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.
The New York Giants continued to tweak and augment their embattled offensive line on Tuesday signing Tyre Phillips from the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad and Joshua Miles from the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons.
Both players were added to the active roster. To make room for the duo, the Giants placed Joshua Ezeudu (toe) on injured reserve. They already had an open spot on the 53-man roster after waiving Jalen Mayfield on Monday.
This is Phillips’ secede stint with the Giants. He spent all of last season and training camp this year with the team before being released. He was signed by the Eagles before the season.
Miles was a seventh-round selection of the Arizona Cardinals out of Morgan State in 2019 and played four seasons for the Cards, appearing in 17 games. He was signed to the Falcons’ practice squad before the season after being cut by them in training camp.
One move many anticipated, the adding of Justin Pugh to the active roster, has not occurred as of yet. As a practice squad player, he can be signed by any team to their active roster.
Finally, after clearing waivers, Mayfield was added back to the team’s practice squad, filling the spot vacated when the Carolina Panthers signed defensive back Alex Smith.
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The New York Giants have waived offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield, who had been signed to the 53-man roster this past Saturday.
The New York Giants have waived offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield after signing him to the 53-man roster this past Saturday.
Mayfield was signed from the team’s practice squad after linebacker Azeez Ojulari was placed on injured reserve (IR). He took just a single snap in a Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
With Mayfield now on waivers, the Giants have an open spot on their 53-man roster which seems destined for Justin Pugh. He played all 77 snaps on Sunday, seeing time at both left guard and left tackle.
Pugh was returned to the team’s practice squad on Monday, which is a precarious position for the Giants. Outside of the injured Andrew Thomas, he may be their best offensive lineman at the moment and a potentially key piece moving forward.
Leaving Pugh on the practice squad opens up the possibility of losing him to another team.
If Mayfield clears waivers, expectations are that he will be re-signed to the Giants’ practice squad.
Any further personnel shuffling or roster additions are likely to come on Tuesday afternoon.
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