The New York Giants will travel to The Big Easy on Sunday for their Week 15 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Despite the Giants’ winning streak, they come in as nearly touchdown road underdogs in this game.
The hype around the Tommy DeVito-led Giants is growing by the minute as they look to extend to four straight wins and keep their NFC Playoff hopes alive and well.
The Giants’ confidence is sky-high coming off their best win of the season.
Here are three reasons for optimism ahead of the Week 15 game.
Teams are trending in opposite directions
The Giants have won three straight and are obviously coming off their most impressive win of the season, taking down a surging Green Bay Packers team on Monday Night Football.
Meanwhile, the Saints, who are also in the playoff hunt, beat the NFL-worst Carolina Panthers (1-12) last week. Prior to that, the Saints had lost three straight and five of their last seven games.
Clearly, the two times are headed in opposite directions as both teams will need a win on Sunday to improve their playoff odds.
Saints pass rush
The Giants’ defense is tied for the third-fewest sacks on the season with 23. The Saints are the other team with 23.
The Giants allowed a season-low zero sacks against the Packers in Week 14. This may present an opportunity for quarterback Tommy DeVito to have the most time he has had to throw since becoming the starter four weeks ago.
If the Giants have more time to operate in the pocket on Sunday, they may be able to score 20-plus points for the second straight week — something they have not done in consecutive games all season long.
Kay Matchup: Deonte Banks vs. Chris Olave
The Saints’ best offensive weapon this season has easily been second-year receiver Chris Olave.
Olave may very well break 1,000 yards on Sunday against the Giants.
However, Deonte Banks has been arguably the Giants’ second-best defensive player all season long and appears to be improving as the weeks go by.
Banks had a key pass breakup on Monday night, saving a touchdown — one of the more underrated plays that contributed to the primetime upset.
Olave may get his, but Giants fans should feel confident that their rookie cornerback is up to the task.
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