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New York Giants: 3 Keys to victory over Texans in Week 3

By Stephen Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 09: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants runs off the field after warmups before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 09: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants runs off the field after warmups before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2. Establish an effective ground attack

The Giants were held to only 35 rushing yards last Sunday night against the Cowboys, who don’t remind anyone of the 1985 Chicago Bears defensively. No team in the league can win consistently with an anemic ground game like that. Saquon Barkley compiled just 28 yards on 11 carries (he did have 14 receptions for 80 yards though) behind New York’s swiss cheese-like offensive line. That has to change immediately against the Texans.

It won’t be easy against such a formidable defensive unit like Houston but the G-Men must make the commitment. All Barkley needs is the tiniest of all holes to run through and he can take any carry to the house.

Head coach Pat Shurmur, who is supposed to be an offensive guru, needs to be innovative and creative and try a jet sweep, some halfback draws, whatever is needed to put the explosive Barkley out in space. He is a game-breaker and one of the most exciting young players in the league.

Establishing the running game also opens the door for play-action opportunities for Manning and his plethora of dynamic receiving weapons. It’s a lot easier to pass effectively when the opposing defense has to respect the rush. No one thinks it’s going to be easy against the Texans. But Big Blue has to make the effort. Defenses have to be kept honest in the NFL.

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