![Deonte Banks](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1625413533-e1696343708716.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780)
Getty Saquon Barkley (left) of the New York Giants talks with Deonte Banks.
The New York Giants secondary has their work cut out for them on Monday Night Football. The Seattle Seahawks enter the Week 4 matchup with the fourth-highest scoring average in football after three games. This is largely due to Pro Bowl quarterback and 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith.
Smith finished 2022 with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns on a league-best 69.8% completion percentage. He also was the top-ranked quarterback on deep passes, according to Next Gen Stats’ Nick Shook.
In three games this season, Smith has thrown for 736 yards and Seattle has scored over 30 points in each of them while the Giants have given up 671 passing yards, which ranks 16th most in the league. Seattle could target downfield matchups against Giants rookie cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll spoke on Saturday, September 30, about the balance of patience with rookies.
“I’d say any young player, starting with rookies — but even second-year guys — they have to play. There’s going to be some quote-unquote growing pains at times with any young player. But I think as long as they’re improving, and you can see it at practice, they get some more familiarity in game situations.
“They’re good players. Put them into different situations. Hopefully, the next time they react to a situation, whatever that may be, they learn from it, and they’re able to execute it better than the first time that they did it. But I have a lot of confidence in our young guys. We’ll just keep on rolling along with them.”
Saquon Barkley Says Injury Is ‘Frustrating’
The high ankle sprain that kept Saquon Barkley out of the Week 3 game against San Francisco continues to linger, and the 25-year-old running back is doubtful for the Week 4 game against Seattle.
Barkley spoke to the media Saturday and expressed his frustration.
“It’s tough, it’s one of those things,” Barkley told reporters. “I think I’m doing way better than what a lot of people would expect, especially talking to doctors I feel like I’m further along, but it’s frustrating.”
David J. Chao, better known as @ProFootballDoc on X, joined the SportsGrid to give his opinion on the Barkley injury and his chances to play in Week 4.
“Well, back when we first said high ankle sprain and the Giants were saying ‘ordinary ankle sprain’ — and then high ankle sprain got confirmed, we said, ‘Look, he’s not playing this Monday night game,” Chao said. “The one extra day isn’t going to make enough of a difference here. And he’s listed as doubtful. So far in 2023, no player listed as doubtful has played. He’s got a chance for next week. Not guaranteed, a chance.”
Seahawks Defense Is Ripe for Daniel Jones
A lot has been made of the Seahawks’ scoring prowess over the first three games of the season. However, at the same time, the once-scary “Legion of Boom” has allowed each of the three quarterbacks it has faced this year — Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Andy Dalton — to throw for more than 300 yards.
To be successful, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will need to make plays with his legs and his arm, opening up the field for his receiving weapons.
The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy wrote that the game is an opportunity for Jones to start utilizing the speed in this offense.
“Where’s the YAC? Giants rank No. 30 in yards after the catch. With the speed of Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell and Jalin Hyatt, that’s unacceptable,” Dunleavy wrote. “Another way to get YAC? Put TE Darren Waller in motion or do whatever is needed to get him matched up on Adams.”
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Giants Rookie Defensive Backs Must Step Up on MNF in Week 4