The Opposing View: An Insider's Look At The New York Giants

With the Seahawks in New Jersey to face the New York Giants this weekend, we reached out to giants.com senior writer/editor Michael Eisen to learn more about Seattle’s Week 7 opponent. You can read Eisen’s work at Giants.com, and find him on Twitter at @giantseisen. Q: What changed for the Giants last week that allowed them to go from an 0-5 start to victorious on the road against a good opponent, especially considering the players lost to injury the week before? Eisen: Because we had so many receivers injured we went to a ground-based attack and ran the ball very well (148 yards). Our defense held the broncos to just 46 yards rushing. And unlike the previous three weeks, when we had a fourth-quarter lead we made the plays we needed to make down the stretch to preserve it. Q: Along those lines, how big is ending that losing streak for team morale? Was the Giants’ success in Denver something they can build on going forward? Eisen: The win was certainly huge for morale. This would have been an unpleasant week if we were 0-6. And they believe they can build on the victory this week. The defense played as it did for much of the 2016 season, when we were 11-5. The goal is to win Sunday, enjoy the bye, and try to make a run starting in November. Q: Was the emphasis on the run the result of a change in play caller, or a response to losing two top receivers? And was that formula for success something that looks sustainable? Eisen: It really had more to do with the loss of our four top receivers. McAdoo is very much involved in putting together the game plan, and we would have run the ball a lot if he was still calling the plays. They had Orleans Darkwa could run the ball, and he proved them correct (117 yards). Q: The Giants have used five different starting line combinations in six weeks. How big of a concern has line play been this season, and are there signs of things becoming more stable? Eisen: It was a concern early in the season, when we had trouble gaining any yardage on the ground. But moving Justin Pugh to right tackle and inserting D.J. Fluker at right guard seems to have stabilized the line, even with the loss of center Weston Richburg, who has been sidelined with a concussion. Brett Jones has played well in Richburg’s place. The current group is playing well and the Giants expect that to continue. Q: With Jason Pierre-Paul doing what he did Sunday and the defense producing three turnovers, including a pick-6, how dangerous can the Giants defense be going forward? Eisen: As Landon Collins said this week when asked if the defense is back, “We got to showcase it again. Once we showcase it again, then we can possibly say that, but not yet. We got to just put it on film one more time.” The defenders are confident they can string together several good games. But no Sunday they have to prove it.”

The Opposing View: An Insider's Look At The New York Giants

Five questions about this week's opponent from Seahawks.com, five answers from Giants.com senior writer/editor Michael Eisen.