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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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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Contain wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins

The Texans have one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL – two-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins. The 6-1, 205-pounder is coming off a six reception, 110-yard, one touchdown effort against the Titans last week. He led the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions last year. The University of Clemson product has recorded three seasons of 1,200 receiving yards or more. He’s in his prime at 26 years old. Like Odell Beckham Jr., Hopkins can bust a game wide open at any time.

The Giants can’t let Hopkins ruin their hope for victory this Sunday. Cornerbacks Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins will have the difficult task of trying to contain him. They will no doubt need safety help over the top from Landon Collins and Curtis Riley.

Jackrabbit Jenkins needs to make sure Hopkins doesn’t toast him like Tavon Austin of the Cowboys did last Sunday night. Hopkins has breakaway speed and strong hands, much like Beckham. The Big Blue secondary will need to make things uncomfortable for Hopkins – press him at the line, throw him off his route, be physical with him.

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DeShaun Watson, Lamar Miller and Will Fuller are some other Houston players the Giants need to be concerned about. Hopkins is the big gun though. He’s building a nice rapport with Watson, the second-year quarterback. The G-Men can’t let Hopkins dominate them or they’ll be staring at an 0-3 record right in the face. That would spell disaster.

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