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Giants Face 49ers Test Without Cam Skattebo: Five Players Who Must Deliver
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- Giants Face 49ers Test Without Cam Skattebo: Five Players Who Must Deliver
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The New York Giants (2-6) will look to stay undefeated at home with Jaxson Dart under center when they host the San Francisco 49ers (5-3) on Sunday.
Maintaining that home winning streak will be difficult without Cam Skattebo , who's out for the season, and with a secondary decimated by injuries.
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Head coach Brian Daboll will need to rally his troops if they have any hope of winning Sunday. It's going to take players on both sides of the ball stepping up, and in particular, he'll need these five to deliver.
Jaxson Dart
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The tandem of Dart and Skattebo helped ignite newfound energy and enthusiasm around the team. Now with the running back lost for the remainder of the season, Dart must carry that momentum alone.
Dart has shown command and leadership seldom seen in a quarterback about to make his sixth NFL start. He has thrown for at least one touchdown and rushed for one in each of his last three starts. But can he uplift his teammates once again without his backfield partner?
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The quarterback is in early consideration for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and continuing his home success will enhance his chances of winning that award.
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
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Tyrone Tracy Jr. lost the starting job when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs . Now he'll re-emerge as the starter in Skattebo's absence. In the six games he's appeared in, he's rushed for 159 yards on 45 carries with one touchdown.
The team has confidence in Tracy after he posted over 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2024. But they need him to elevate his game against a 49ers defense that has been vulnerable against the run since the loss of Fred Warner . San Francisco allowed 157 yards last week against the Houston Texans , which should have fans feeling optimistic that Tracy will have a big game.
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Dexter Lawrence
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This week, Dexter Lawrence's play was heavily scrutinized by Giants legend Carl Banks, who stated that his opponents no longer respect him. Lawrence shrugged off Banks' comments by saying he's delusional.
But up to this point in the season, the 6-foot-4, 340-pound lineman hasn't been playing to the level fans are accustomed to seeing. He has 20 total tackles with half a sack and hasn't made an impactful play except in Week 4 when he intercepted Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and almost returned it for a touchdown.
Sometimes criticism can light a spark, and New York will need Lawrence to play at an All-Pro level as they look to shut down Christian McCaffrey , who has 1,049 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns.
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Devin Singletary
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Tracy isn't the only back who will see increased workload. Devin Singletary will now have a more prominent role in the offense, especially in goal-line and short-yardage situations.
In his limited action this year, the 28-year-old running back has carried the ball 28 times for 84 yards. His three yards per carry are the lowest of his career. He'll need to improve significantly if the team is going to sustain a ground game. New York needs him and Tracy to be a one-two punch in the backfield. If he remains ineffective, Tracy will shoulder the burden alone.
Deonte Banks
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The Giants' secondary has been decimated by injuries, especially at cornerback. Their top two corners, Paulson Adebo (knee) and Cor'Dale Flott (concussion), were unable to practice Wednesday.
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This means whether it's Mac Jones or Brock Purdy at quarterback for the 49ers, they're going to target Deonte Banks. Banks has struggled mightily this season, which is one of the reasons Flott supplanted him as the starter opposite Adebo.
Banks has been credited with just two pass defenses this season and has been the subject of trade rumors. Another subpar game Sunday could prompt the Giants to trade him before Tuesday's trade deadline.
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