Expect the Giants to look quite different on offense Sunday than they did in the season-opening loss to the Cowboys.
Last week, the Giants used 11-personnel formations (one running back and one tight end) nearly 75 percent of the snaps on offense. That will change, with the receiver corps depleted almost beyond recognition. Evan Engram was on the field for 53 of the 69 offensive plays in the first game and Rhett Ellison got just 22 snaps. Those snap-counts will rise for the Giants’ tight ends, with more 12-personnel (one running back, two tight ends).
“We’ll let what we’re going to do reveal itself,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said.
As for the receivers, starter and No. 1 target Sterling Shepard is out with a concussion. The other starter, Golden Tate, is sitting out a four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Cody Latimer, the starter in Tate’s spot, is listed as questionable with a calf injury.
This would mean Bennie Fowler and Russell Shepard, journeyman veterans, become Eli Manning’s main weapons at receiver, with newly re-signed TJ Jones and special teamer Cody Core in reserve. This also means expect a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley and Engram in the passing attack.
“A guy like myself, I never know my role is coming,’’ Russell Shepard said. “I just need to be ready at any point of the game.’’
Consider this a positive trend for the Giants. Over the past five years, road teams in Week 2 that were also on the road in Week 1 were 2-16 against the point spread, according to ArmadilloSports.com. Those teams were 1-7 when favored and 1-9 when getting points. The Bills, on the road (at MetLife Stadium, actually) for a second consecutive week, are 1¹/₂-point favorites.
The 470 total yards on offense last week was the highest total since Shurmur took over as head coach to start the 2018 season.
“Yardage is one thing,’’ Shurmur said, “scoring is another. It’s important that when we get our opportunities to score, we score.”
Rookie Corey Ballentine returned two kickoffs in his NFL debut, averaging 23 yards, and he took one out from deep in the end zone.
“He did a good job,’’ special teams coach Thomas McGaughey said. “He’s a young kid. The catch mechanic thing is still something that he’s working on, but every week he just has to get better, and every situation for him is a new situation. When you look at that stadium, he’s never been in a place like that before. Topeka, Kansas, Washburn University didn’t look like that, so it was definitely an eye-opening experience for him.’’
The newest Giants player, LB Tuzar Skipper, was signed as a response to Kareem Martin being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Skipper, claimed off waivers from the Steelers, had five sacks in the preseason, and the Steelers were hoping to sign him to their practice squad.
“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster, because I thought I was going to be with one team and something unexpectedly happens and now I’m with another team,’’ said Skipper, undrafted out of Toledo. “It’s difficult, because it took me so long to learn the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playbook. Now I’m with a whole other organization learning their playbook. It’s a challenge, but challenge accepted.’’
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