{"id":7801,"date":"2016-12-08T18:58:22","date_gmt":"2016-12-08T23:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=7801"},"modified":"2016-12-08T18:58:22","modified_gmt":"2016-12-08T23:58:22","slug":"new-york-giants-week-14-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/12\/08\/new-york-giants-week-14-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Giants Week 14 Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday Night Football<\/strong> is no stranger to the New York Giants<\/strong>–Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> rivalry. Playing against an offense led by MVP candidates Dak Prescott<\/a><\/strong> and Ezekiel Elliott<\/a><\/strong>, the Giants hope to stop the explosive rookie duo for again and hand Dallas its second loss of the season. Plagued with injuries, it’ll take proper execution from the Giants\u2019 side of the ball to come out with a win. What will it take for the G-Men to advance to 9-4 and sweep their long-time division rivals? Let\u2019s take a closer look at the Giants week 14 keys to victory.<\/p>\n

New York Giants Week 14 Keys to Victory<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Give Olivier Vernon<\/a>\u00a0Help on the Defensive Line<\/h3>\n

The Giants have been off to a major defensive success in the second half of the season, even aside from the emergence of Defensive Player of the year candidate\u00a0Landon Collins<\/a><\/strong>. In the last five weeks alone, the team has led the league in sacks with Olivier Vernon<\/a><\/strong> (7) and Jason Pierre-Paul<\/a><\/strong> (5) leading in that time frame respectively. These are incredible numbers, but some argue it is because they are on the field for an extraordinary amount of time. In fact, Vernon and JPP also lead the league in most defensive lineman snaps by more than 50 plays!<\/p>\n

Of course, this amount of playing time comes with consequences. The Giants found this out after being hit with some extremely devastating news Wednesday morning. After meeting with a world-class surgeon it was reported that Pierre-Paul would need season-ending surgery for the groin injury he suffered in last week\u2019s 24-14 loss to the Steelers. Not only is JPP out, but other key injuries on the defensive line include Johnathan Hankins<\/a> <\/strong>and Owamagbe Odighizuwa<\/a><\/strong>. Steve Spagnuolo<\/strong> is going to have to be a little less stingy when it comes to rotating players this week. Preserving the health of this elite front and taking some of the workload off Vernon should be a priority. Especially this week, because Vernon is sure to be double-teamed frequently against arguably the league\u2019s best offensive line. Without defensive pressure, Elliott is bound to have a field day on the ground and Dak will have plenty of time to throw to his receivers.<\/p>\n

Keep\u00a0All Wide Receivers Involved<\/h3>\n

Eli Manning<\/a><\/strong> has been playing some of the worst football we\u2019ve seen in a while. After coming off one of his best seasons and adding another elite rookie weapon to his receiving corps via the draft, it looks as if the problem is also occurring on the coaching side of the ball when it comes to play selection. In week 12, even though he had one carry for 22 yards, Sterling Shepard<\/a><\/strong> wasn\u2019t targeted once the whole game on the receiving end. Following this up in week 13, Victor Cruz<\/a><\/strong> also didn\u2019t come away with a single target despite playing the whole game. More targets were aimed at the running backs in recent weeks with intentions of\u00a0executing a larger number of screen plays. Although it works some of the time, it has become easily predictable for defensive units to read. This aspect takes away opportunities to spread the ball around the field and get the ball into others’ hands.<\/p>\n

This Cowboys secondary has allowed the fourth\u00a0most passing yards per game (276) and only has two interceptions. Eli and McAdoo need to use this advantage by utilizing the receivers and keeping the offense on the field. This has been an on-going problem the team has endured all season. As fitting, the Giants are second\u00a0in the league for least amount of time of possession. Any\u00a0improvement could be a game changer for the Giants, who have been\u00a0terrible in terms of first down efficiency. Throughout last week’s matchup they converted 4-11 on third down\u00a0and are also 0-3 on fourth\u00a0down.<\/p>\n

Offensive\u00a0Line Needs More Discipline<\/h3>\n

Ereck Flowers<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0has become a disaster on the offensive side of the ball. Heading into week 14, Flowers is tied for fourth\u00a0in the league for most penalties by a single player. Eight of the 12 penalties called have been for holding. At 6-6 and 330 pounds, it\u2019s hard to imagine that one would have to hold as frequently as he does. Although he makes quite a few technical mistakes when it comes to his play, he shows signs of potential. The former first rounder out of Boston College needs to step up and prove he\u2019s worthy to be considered top-tier.<\/p>\n

With starting guard Justin Pugh<\/a><\/strong> limited so far this week in practices, he looks to return to the lineup which could benefit the team tremendously. It\u2019s only a matter of staying healthy and not rushing back into the game too soon. With the luck the Giants have had in the past with injuries, the coaching staff needs to be smart. Re-aggravating the MCL sprain in his right knee would be the last situation the team needs. While he sits out with injuries, Giants have had to suffer with\u00a0their very shallow depth at the O-linemen position<\/p>\n

If Flowers brings his game and Pugh returns to the lineup, Eli\u00a0and the offensive unit will have some opportunities to make things click and put some numbers on the board. Rashad Jennings<\/a><\/strong> has been playing his best game of the season so far and Paul Perkins<\/a><\/strong> has emerged as a real threat to escape tackles and cut defenders on his way to pick up some first downs. If the team can start to turn things around and get some blocks early on, expect to see this offense moving the ball down field without relying on the help from somebody with the name Odell Beckham<\/a><\/strong> Jr.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n