The Seahawks head east this week for a Monday Night Football showdown with the New York Giants, who are looking to get their season on track after a 1-2 start. To get you ready for this week's game, we asked Giants.com senior writer Michael Eisen five questions about this week's opponent, which he was kind enough to answer for Seahawks.com.
What's the level of concern, if that's the right word, after a 1-2 start for the Giants. On one hand, that's not the record I'd imagine folks were hoping for coming off a playoff season, but on the other hand, both of those losses were to two of the league's top teams.
Eisen: There's certainly concern, but no panic. The Giants knew the start to the season would be difficult, with an opener vs. Dallas, followed by a six-night west coast trip. No one's raising a white flag at 1-2, but this is a big game for the Giants. After facing the Seahawks, they travel to Miami and then Buffalo – two teams that scored a combined 107 points last week. The Giants need to win their only home game in a five-week period.
Looking forward from that tough start, what are some reasons why the Giants are confident they can get back on track and look like the playoff team they were in 2022?
Eisen: They have most of the core players who helped them finish 9-7-1 and win a playoff game last year – except Julian Love, who now resides in Seattle. The issues are more scheme and performance, which can be corrected and improved, than personnel which often can't be upgraded during the season. The Giants are confident they can win with the players and coaches they have.
What's the status of Saquon Barkley, and if he can't go again, what does that mean for the offense, and who needs to step up in his absence?
Eisen: Barkley's availability will likely be a gametime decision (he has sprained ankle). He didn't plat last week in San Francisco and the Giants had just 11 rushing attempts, their lowest total since 1989. Presumably, Matt Breida, who started in his place, will be asked to carry a heavier load if Barkley doesn't play. Also, Daniel Jones ran just twice, which is unusual for our quarterback. Of course, an offense is limited when it owns the ball for almost 20 minutes and runs just 46 plays. If Barkley can play, he should help the Giants both move the ball and retain it.
Other than the obvious big names, what player could be an X-factor for the Giants in this one?
Eisen: Rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt. The third-round draft choice played only 16 snaps against the 49ers and was not targeted. He is probably the fastest player on the team but has just two catches in three games. It's safe to say the Giants are counting on him to be more productive.
What matchup or matchups are you looking forward to seeing play out on Monday?
Eisen: Three rookie cornerbacks are likely to start this – Witherspoon for the Seahawks and Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins for the Giants, our first and sixth-round draft choices. Like all rookies, Banks and Hawkins have had their ups and downs. How they play against DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will be a huge factor in determining who wins the game.
The Seahawks and Giants face off for Monday Night Football on Oct. 2, 2023. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Giants.
A pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Paul Skannis (82) is about to be intercepted by Carl Banks, left, of the New York Giants during second quarter of Nov. 9, 1989 game at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants Larry Csonka leaves the game with bandaged knee, hurt running the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the game, Nov. 28, 1976 in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Giants wide receiver Ike Hilliard, right, cradles the ball in the end zone for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks safety Marcus Robinson, rear, and cornerback Willie Williams, left, defend during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Hilliard scored with 20 seconds left in the game to give the Giants the 27-24 win. Looking on is Giants Joe Jurevicius (84). (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants is taken down for a 4-yard loss by Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) heads for the endzone as he is pursued by Seattle Seahawks Natu Tutagaloa during the third quarter of 23-10 Giants win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
Seattle Seahawks quarter back Stan Gelbaugh (18) gets sacked by Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants for a 12-yard loss in the first quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992 in East Rutherford. Giants' Eric Dorsey, rear moves in to help Taylor. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (92) returns a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 23, 2001. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 27-24. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Evan Pinkus)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Ralph Brown after catching a pass for a 14-yard gain during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. There was a penalty on Brown for defensive holding, which was declined by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Jeremy Shockey, left, is brought down by Seattle Seahawks Marquand Manuel (33) and Bryce Fisher after a fourth quarter pass reception, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005, in Seattle. Shockey led the Giants with 127 yards receiving . The Seahawks won in overtime, 24-21. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, left, looks for running room during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006. The Seahawks said Monday, Sept. 25, 2006 that Alexander has a broken left foot and will be lost to the team for at least a couple of weeks. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) loses the ball as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney (97) in the second quarter of their NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seattle Seahawks Charlie Whitehurst (6) in action against the New York Giants in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) goes out for a pass while covered by New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) during the NFL week 5 football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 9, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks won the game 36-25. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Ralph Brown after catching a pass for a 14-yard gain during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. There was a penalty on Brown for defensive holding, which was declined by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fends off New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the game against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
The Seahawks offense does their "techno" touchdown celebration after Jimmy Graham's one-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
