Previously, we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming game Dallas Cowboys. Now let’s dive back into the position battlefield, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams compare to each other

DEFENSE LINE

The problems with the defensive line remain, as evidenced by their performance last week against the Baltimore Ravens, where they were once again easily overwhelmed. Mazi Smith was easily pushed off the line several times. DeMarcus Lawrence struggled to maintain his position on the perimeter and seemed out of sync. Carl Lawson participated this week and contributed eight snaps in which he performed adequately. Micah Parsons is having a challenging start to his 2024 season; He had a difficult time breaking into the Ravens’ backfield, even though Mike Zimmer used him at various positions along the line. He actually managed to force a pass from Lamar Jackson and quickly charged through the A gap to get to it. However, his performance in run defense was noticeably inconsistent.

This week, the Giants offensive line ranks in the top ten in pressures allowed, highlighting a significant weakness within the team. Putting pressure on Daniel Jones and forcing him to make mistakes will be crucial to disrupting their offense. If this defensive line falters in this regard, particularly in the run game, which New York is currently subpar, the situation could reach five-alarm very quickly.

The Giants’ defensive line is a key strength of the team in the pass rush. They have established a clear identity that is currently contributing significantly to the team’s recent momentum. The team currently has 14 sacks and has recorded 64 total pressures, surpassing Dallas in that regard. Dexter Lawrence is on the front line, leading the team in both pressures and sacks and has proven his effectiveness as a defensive tackle in recent seasons. On the edges, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux have combined for 15 pressures, while Azeez Ojulari has bolstered the defense with two sacks so far.

However, this unit’s run defense continues to be a concern as it is averaging 132 rushing yards per game, ranking in the bottom ten in the league, despite only allowing one rushing touchdown. This performance is clearly superior to Dallas, which ranks last in both rushing touchdowns allowed and average rushing yards per game.
Win: Giants

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LINE BACKER

The current situation for the Cowboys linebackers is quite challenging. The lack of stability on the defensive line has led to a series of unfortunate events for this group of linebackers. The frequency of missed tackles among Dallas defenders is alarmingly high, which not only exhausts players but also allows too many unnecessary rushing yards. Players like Damone Clark and Eric Kendricks are making significant efforts to improve the situation. Overall, the linebackers have recorded seven missed tackles this season, a stark contrast to Clark’s performance last year when he only had one missed tackle all season.

Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke serve as the Giants’ primary linebackers, combining for nine pressures and four sacks. McFadden used his speed to reach the ball carrier effectively and get to him quickly when unhindered. Currently, the Giants’ defense focuses heavily on pass rushing and often uses both linebackers in blitz situations

Diploma:
The Cowboys’ offense was one-dimensional, which fit seamlessly into the Giants’ style of play. As a result, the Giants’ biggest weakness, their run defense, will not face a significant challenge from the Cowboys’ running game, allowing them to focus on their strengths
Win: Giants

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DEFENSIVE BACKS

Caelen Carson struggled in his last game against the Ravens, a situation foreseen in last week’s article. Carson may not play this week due to injury. An important point in this match is the confrontation between Trevon Diggs and Malik Nabers. During the offseason, Nabers expressed his desire to face Diggs and come out victorious. Recently, Nabers had an impressive performance, accumulating 78 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Conversely, Diggs struggled with a defensive line that struggled to apply pressure, allowing three balls to go for four goals.

Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round draft pick from last year, has started his second season positively. He has allowed a 56% completion rate so far and recorded two pass breakups; However, he has also allowed three touchdowns, which is a concern. The agile defensive back wants to challenge CeeDee Lamb, who has had a slow start to the season. Safety Jason Pinnock has impressed with three sacks this season, although he also has four missed tackles. Senior cornerback Adoree Jackson and rookie corner Dru Phillips of Kentucky were both ejected from the game.

Diploma:
The Cowboys’ defensive backs have considerable talent; However, they face challenges due to the support they receive from the defensive line. Meanwhile, the Giants face the league’s top team when it comes to passing yards, the impressive duo of CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson.
Victory: Cowboys

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SPECIAL TEAMS

Aubrey Coast’s offense continues to be in full swing and the team is fortunate to have him on board. Last week, Aubrey successfully converted two field goals, including an impressive 65-yard attempt. He also added an extra point, positioning himself as the league leader in kicking.

Although Graham Gano is scheduled to be the team’s kicker, he is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected to be available for a few more weeks. Meanwhile, Greg Joseph has been signed and is expected to take over the starting role this week.

KaVontae Turpin had limited impact as a returner last week, making two fair catches, but did manage to score a touchdown on offense to reduce the team’s deficit late in the game. Eric Gray currently ranks third in kickoff return yards and 25th in punt return yards.
Victory: Cowboys