The New York Giants’ young secondary could use a breather after facing a gauntlet of some of the NFL’s best wide receivers over the first five weeks — Seattle’s DK Metcalf, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin of Washington, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.
This Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals come to MetLife Stadium sporting two more of the game’s elite pass catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Head coach Brian Daboll has seen mixed results from his secondary thus far but they’ve been respectable. None of those players mentioned had over 100 yards receiving in their games against Big Blue this year.
The coach was asked what improvements he’d seen in the unit this year.
“Well, again, they’re young,” Daboll said of the group level-setting expectations and providing some context. “So, the more playing time you get, the more experience you get, the more you improve. And we’ve played against some pretty good receivers. Metcalf being the last one, McLaurin, CeeDee Lamb, Jefferson, and now here comes Chase and Higgins.
“So, they’re improving at their craft. They’ve been working hard. The communication process, their technique, their fundamentals. Jerome (Henderson) has been working with them. (Michael) Treier has been working with them.
“Again, a young group of players that continues to improve. We have a huge challenge this week against this quarterback, who’s one of the best in the league, and the skill set of Chase and Higgins. They can score at any time.”
Daboll was asked how the team plans on handling two No. 1-type receivers this week.
“Yeah, very difficult,” he said. “They’re two different types of players, both outstanding at what they do. They put Chase everywhere. He can take it from a one-yard pass, 80 yards. Over 4,200 yards, 35 touchdowns, 34, whatever it may be.
“He’s as good as it gets. And then throw Higgins in there, who’s a top pick of the second round, who’s big. Even when he’s covered, he’s not covered. It’s very challenging. That’s why they put up so many points. When you add (Joe) Burrow to the mix, who’s one of the premier passers in this league, it’s difficult.”
Chase had 10 receptions for 192 yards last week against Baltimore. It is the most receiving yards in a single game by an NFL player this year.
Higgins caught a season-high nine passes in the game for 83 yards after beginning the season with a hamstring issue.
