After two games in 2022, the Dallas defense is third in sacks while Daniel Jones is the third most sacked quarterback. Dallas is in 6th in pass yards allowed while the Giants have the second least yards through the air. If we are to follow this recent trend, it is clear that the path to victory will be blazed by Saquon Barkley and the Dallas front seven knows it.
Coordinator
Dan Quinn who led Seattle’s defense to two back-to-back Super Bowls is in his second year in Dallas. He doesn’t have a Legion of Boom quite yet, but he does have Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence. He like Giant’s coordinator Wink Martindale likes to use multiple fronts and press-man corners but does not blitz nearly as much. Yet he loves to call stunts which may be a big issue for rookie guard Joshua Ezeudu.
Defensive Line
Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, now in his 10th season hopes to chase down Daniel Jones as he did Eli Manning, but when all is said and done, it would be nice if he was the Giant’s biggest worry. He has had an up-and-down career, and that is probably why he talks big when playing the Giants since he has been able to play up to the ego and make his money against horrible offensive lines. He is in luck again, getting to go against rookie Evan Neil, yet Neil even in his thirds game may be the best competition Lawrence has seen in a Giant’s uniform for quite some time.
2021 3rd round pick Osa Odighizuwa and 360-pound Quinton Bohanna have combined for 12 tackles, four for a loss. They will not be a pushover for the struggling Giants’ interior. At right end, fifth-year Dorance Armstrong will be sacrificed to the force of gravity that is Andrew Thomas letting the linebackers do their work.
Linebackers
After eight years as a solid linebacker for the Vikings Anthony Barr moves over to Dallas to play opposite Micah Parsons. He is well suited to do so as he has been solid in coverage and as a tackler during his career.
Leighton Vander Esch mans the middle and so far leads the team in tackles. The former first-round pick is a prolific, rangy tackler when healthy. It will be hard for the Giants to get to the second level and get a body on him and Parsons.
As for Parsons, last year’s defensive rookie of the year is already expected to be this year’s defensive player of the year with his complete set of pass rushing skills. In two games he has nine tackles, eight pressures, and four sacks. Yet, they have only blitzed him 3 times. More blitzes have come from the middle and the secondary than outside linebacker.
After Dallas on gave up 36 total points to the potent Tampa and Cincinnati offenses, one of these teams may be in store for a reality check come Monday Night. They have bona fide threats at every level of the defense and it will take more than good coaching to take the Giant’s over the hump. Players are going to have to perform.
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