{"id":277787,"date":"2025-10-04T18:51:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T18:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/277787\/"},"modified":"2025-10-04T18:51:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T18:51:12","slug":"4-ny-giants-who-need-to-step-up-against-new-orleans-saints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/277787\/","title":{"rendered":"4 NY Giants Who Need to Step Up Against New Orleans Saints"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Giants<\/strong><\/a> are coming off a massive win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, which was rookie Jaxson Dart\u2019s debut<\/strong><\/a> as a starting quarterback.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With a brutal schedule upcoming for the Giants, including two battles against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles over a 17-day span, New York badly needs a win this Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints.<\/p>\n

New Orleans, however, is perhaps even more desperate than the Giants at the moment, which promises to make for a grueling four quarters. The Saints (0-4) are still seeking their first win under first-year head coach Kellen Moore, and a loss at home to the Giants would continue a dismal start to the Moore era.<\/p>\n

In short, these two teams will be fighting with everything they have on Sunday, and for the Giants, they\u2019ll need some players to step up who haven\u2019t been in top form yet in 2025.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Tyler Conklin (83) is tackled by New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin (27) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. \/ Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Nubin is expected to play on Sunday despite being questionable with a groin issue. However, his play has regressed significantly from that of his rookie season so far.<\/p>\n

Nubin, per PFF, has already recorded eight missed tackles<\/strong><\/a> in four games\u2013two less than he had the year prior in 14 games.<\/p>\n

Nubin has also seen a slight spike in terms of pass targets against him that have been completed. Last year, he allowed 73.1% of those targets to be completed; this year, the rate has increased to 75%. And whereas last season he only gave up 78 yards after the catch, this year he has already given up 67 yards after the catch.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau \/ Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

From a stats perspective, Muasau has been better so far since stepping into a starting role for the injured Micah McFadden. However, Musasau\u2019s game has lacked in the physicality department.<\/p>\n

The second-year linebacker has struggled to get off blocks, particularly against the run, and that\u2019s been one of the biggest reasons why the Giants’ run defense continues to struggle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For proof, just look at the 54-yard touchdown run by Chargers running back Omarion Hampton last week. On the play, Muasau gets locked up against a blocker while Hampton darts right past him.<\/p>\n

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Omarion Hampton goes 54 yards for the TD!<\/p>\n

LACvsNYG on CBS\/Paramount+https:\/\/t.co\/HkKw7uXnxV<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/G9X4Jx5KPG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With the Giants set to face Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller of the Saints, Muasau and the rest of his teammates, for that matter, on run defense duty, need to be more physical and get off their blocks to stop these big play runs from happening every week.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84) celebrates a touchdown reception during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. \/ Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

With receiver Malik Nabers, who, before his season-ending ACL injury, was targeted four times<\/strong><\/a> in the red zone (three times in the high red area), the Giants need someone to step up inside the red zone.<\/p>\n

How bad has the red zone been for the Giants? Their 26.7% conversion rate ranks last in the league and is significantly below the league average of 58.27%.<\/p>\n

That someone to be on the receiving end of the red zone passing attempts could very well be the team\u2019s two big tight ends, Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger, both of whom havn’t been called upon very often inside the red zone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger \/ Peter Casey-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

While not productive in terms of scoring this year\u2013to be fair no one from the Giants was very productive in scoring on passing plays in the red zone, a factor due in part to the slow developing plays called in that area\u2013it might just be high time for the Giants to go back to the tight ends down in that area when they want to pass the ball.<\/p>\n

But for that to become a regular occurrence, both tight ends need to be productive in the red zone. Johnson, for his career, has caught two of five red zone passes for four yards and one touchdown. He has also recorded just one first down and has one drop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bellinger, who has been in the league twice as long as Johnson, has been a little better. Bellinger has caught six of seven pass targets in the red zone for 61 yards and two touchdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also recorded four first downs in the high red zone area and has not registered a dropped pass in that area.<\/p>\n

The Giants have a very winnable game against the Saints, a game that, if New York wins, puts them at 2-3 and suddenly offers a slightly brighter outlook for the season ahead. It will take every man called upon to deliver the \u201cW,\u201d but with a little extra from these players, the Giants can put themselves in a better position to be competitive.<\/p>\n

What happens next with the NY Giants? Find out! Follow and like\u00a0us on Facebook<\/strong><\/a>. Visit our\u00a0YouTube channel<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for the latest videos. Want to send a question in for our mailbag?\u00a0You can do so here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n