The New York Giants (0-1) go on the road to play the Arizona Cardinals (0-1) on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Here are five storylines we are following hiding into the Week 2 game.
Trying to avoid an 0-3 start
The Giants got smoked by the Dallas Cowboys in their season opener last week, 40-0, and now will play two games in five days out west.
After the game in Arizona, the Giants will stay out on the West Coast and prepare for their Thursday night game against the 49ers in San Francisco.
A loss in Arizona could spell trouble as the Giants will certainly be underdogs against the 49ers on Thursday.
Since 1979, only six teams who began the season with an 0-3 record have qualified for the postseason.
Injuries mounting already
The injury bug has hit the Giants early this year. Many players were limited in practice this week. Most will suit up with some exceptions.
Linebacker Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) are doubtful to play and starting left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) is questionable.
In addition, tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) did not put in a full practice this week.
Giants are favored
The oddsmakers have made the Giants a 4-point favorite in this game. One might want to question the reasoning behind this.
The 40-0 drubbing last week is being seen as an aberration. The Giants were 13-4 against the spread last year and they usually win when they play teams other than Dallas and Philadelphia or teams with an A-list quarterback.
Arizona is starting backup quarterback Josh Dobbs this week, and although he’s a capable player, he’s been with the Cardinals for less than a month.
Saquon ready to step up?
The Giants opened their game against Dallas with a solid drive that went from their own 25-yard line to the Dallas 8. Then a false start followed by a bad snap forced them to attempt a field goal which was blocked and returned for a touchdown.
That doesn’t change the fact that the Giants were able to move the football early on in the game. Expect them to do that against Arizona and expect Saquon Barkley to play a major role.
The offensive line
This unit seems to always make this list. The line is not showing any progress. In fact, many are suggesting they were better last year.
The right side of guard Mark Glowinski and tackle Evan Neal have thus far been awful in pass protection. The rest of the line was not much better and now left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) is questionable to play.
Dallas sacked Daniel Jones seven times and hit him a total of 12 times in the game. His mobility afforded him further punishment.
Last week against Washington, the Cardinals racked up six sacks. Look out.
