The New York Giants (2-5) head west to take on the Las Vegas Raiders (3-5) this Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
Here are five storylines we are following in Week 9.
Daniel Jones returns
Quarterback Daniel Jones has been cleared for duty after missing the last three games due to a neck injury. It couldn’t come at a better time as his backup, Tyrod Taylor, has been ruled out this week with a ribcage injury.
Tommy DeVito has been elevated to the primary backup role with recently signed Matt Barley parked on the practice squad serving as the emergency QB.
Without Jones, the Giants have averaged just 11 points per game. With Jones in the lineup, they’ve averaged only 10.3 points per game. They are hoping things turn around beginning this week.
Hello again, Antonio Pierce
Earlier this week, the Raiders fired general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels and replaced them (on an interim basis) with Champ Kelly and Antonio Pierce, respectively.
Pierce was a Giants linebacker and captain from 2005-2009 and a maybe rod their Super Bowl XLII championship team. He has been serving as the Raiders’ linebackers coach since the beginning for the 2022 season.
Finally, a complete offensive line?
The Giants are expecting both of their starting tackles, Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal, back this week. Nothing is confirmed as of yet but it will be the first time since Week 1 the Giants will have all of their starters on the field at the same time.
Neal has been dealign with an ankle injury and Thomas has missed the last seven games with a hamstring.
No revenge for Waller
Giants tight end Darren Waller, who came over in an offseason trade from Las Vegas, will not suit up for this week’s game due to a hamstring issue.
Waller played for the Raiders for the last five seasons, going back to their time in Oakland. He currently leads the Giants in targets and receptions.
Still not out of it
The Giants, at 2-6, are still mathematically alive in the NFC playoff picture. Minnesota is currently in the seventh and final playoff spot with a 4-4 record, just two games ahead of the Giants.
Sure, there are five teams between them, but as we know, things can change quickly in this league.
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
