The New York Giants will host the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night in the second game of their 2022 preseason schedule.
Here are five things to watch for in Week 2 of the preseason.
The offensive line is really thin
The Giants have already experienced an unusually high number of injuries along their revamped offensive line. Jamil Douglas, Ben Bredeson, Josh Ezeudu, Garrett McGhin, Jon Feliciano and Shane Lemieux will not play due to injury.
Nick Gates and Matt Peart remain on the PUP list.
Veteran Max Garcia will start at center and there are only seven other healthy lineman for the coaches to rotate in: Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal, Mark Glowinski, Devery Henderson, Eric Smith, Will Holden and Roy Mbaeteka.
Who will play quarterback?
The Giants might be reluctant to risk the health of starting quarterback Daniel Jones behind an offensive line that is clearly in disarray.
Giants coach Brian Daboll intended to play his starters + QB Daniel Jones on Sunday night vs. the Bengals. But … they’re on their sixth center. Their O-line is devastated by injury.
“At this point I do [think Jones plays], but we’re going to talk about it,” Daboll said.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 19, 2022
That means more Tyrod Taylor and Davis Webb and potentially another week of Jones not getting enough playing time to gel in tis new offense.
Can the Giants run game shine again?
Last week against the New England Patriots, the Giants rushed for 177 yards. Every running back that touched the ball looked like they had some burst to their game, including starter Saquon Barkley.
Even with this makeshift offensive line, it is worth watching to see if they can dominate in the trenches again and push the pile.
Wide receivers ready to break out?
Veteran wide receiver Kenny Golladay had a forgettable opening night against New England last week and Kadarius Toney did not play. Rookie Wan’Dale Robinson played 14 snaps but was not targeted in the passing game nor did touch the football in the run game.
Toney isn’t going to play again this week and neither is Darius Slayton. Sterling Shepard is still out, so this is going to be another chance for Golladay to step up. He has looked great in practice this week, so maybe the light has gone on.
Also, look for Robinson to see some targets, and if Collin Johnson can build on his strong performance from last week.
Pass rush, anyone?
Last week, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale did not hold much back, blitzing quite a bit more than normal for a preseason game.
This week, he could do the same as he gets last year’s sack leader — outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari — back from injury. It will be the first time we see Ojulari and rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux on the field in a game. Expectations are high.
