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The New York Giants had a rough home opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 8, and while a lot of attention was put on quarterback Daniel Jones for his two interceptions and pick-six, another Giants player was also off his game. In a Bleacher Report article published Friday, September 13, NFL writer and expert Kristopher Knox says that pass-rusher Brian Burns‘ debut with the Giants was less than stellar, but the good news is that Knox predicts Burns will rebound this weekend.
Brian Burns Has an ‘Excellent Chance to Record His First Sack’ Against Commanders
In Knox’s article, titled “8 NFL Players Likely to Rebound from Poor Opening Performances in Week 2,” he assures NFL fans that “it’s too soon to panic over some of the stumbles we saw in Week 1.” He also says certain players, including Burns, “are primed to bounce back as early as this week due to their matchups and projected roles.”
When it comes to Burns, Knox notes that he’s the NFL’s third-highest-paid edge-rusher when it comes to annual compensation, only trailing Nick Bosa and Josh Hines-Allen. The New York Giants obtained Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler, from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick and a fifth-round pick swap. The Giants then signed Burns to a five-year, $141 million contract extension.
“Naturally, fireworks were expected from Burns in his Giants debut, but the 26-year-old didn’t deliver them,” Knox stated. “He logged four solo stops but no sacks and was credited with just a single quarterback pressure. Of course, New York’s pass rush never really got a chance to go into attack mode. The Minnesota Vikings had a two-score lead by the second quarter, the Giants’ secondary provided little resistance, and the Giants offense gained very little traction.”
But, Knox wrote that he believes Burns “should fare better against the Washington Commanders in Week 2. Rookie Jayden Daniels is a slippery quarterback, but he’s still an inexperienced signal-caller who was sacked twice in his NFL debut. The Commanders’ offensive line isn’t particularly settled either. And against one of the league’s most underwhelming secondaries, Daniel Jones and the Giants offense should find at least some success this week. That may prevent Washington from leaning heavily on the run.”
Knox went on to make a bold prediction that the pass-rusher “will have an excellent chance to record his first sack as a Giant this Sunday.”
Brian Burns Needs to ‘Live Up to the High Billing’
In a September 13 article in the New York Post, reporter Ryan Dunleavy says it’s time for Burns to step it up. Dunleavy also adds Kayvon Thibodeaux to the discussion.
“The Giants are hoping they bankrolled two pass rushers who can prevent an entrance into can’t-buy-a-win territory,” he stated in the article, titled “Giants need Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux to live up to high billing against Commanders.”
“After being collectively held in check during a Week 1 loss, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux draw a seemingly favorable matchup Sunday against the Commanders, who employ journeyman right tackle Andrew Wylie and a left-tackle rotation of Cornelius Lucas and rookie Brandon Coleman,” he added. “It’s not a moment too soon for Burns to live up to his $141 million contract or for Thibodeaux to play like the former No. 5 pick in the draft.”
