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The Opposing View: An Insider's Look At The Seahawks' Week 5 Opponent, The New York Giants

Five questions from Seahawks.com; five answers from Giants.com senior writer Michael Eisen.

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The Seahawks are back home this weekend and hosting the New York Giants, the third meeting between these team in as many seasons, with the Seahawks winning in both 2022 and 2023. To help you get ready for this week's game, we reached out to Giants.com senior writer Michael Eisen with five questions about this week's opponent:

The Giants have been held under 20 points in all three losses, what has held the offense back so far and what will they be looking to change heading into Sunday's game in Seattle?

Eisen: The Giants could use some more big plays. In four games, they have just five plays longer than 25 yards – four passes (three to Malik Nabers) and one 43-yard run that would have been a touchdown had Devin Singletary not given himself up at the one to run the clock. They need to find a way to stretch the defense.

Malik Nabers has been thrilling to watch from afar, just how much of a spark has he provided for that offense, and what is his status this week after leaving last Thursday's game with a concussion?

Eisen: Nabers' impact has been enormous. His 35 receptions are five more than anyone else in the league. He is the first receiver in NFL history with 35 catches, 386 yards, and three touchdowns in his first four games, and the youngest in history to catch two touchdown passes in a game. Nabers has been targeted on 52 of the Giants 145 total pass attempts – including one that he threw – a 35.9 percentage that is the highest in the NFL. As for his status – as with any player who has suffered a concussion, that's up to the independent neurological consultant, but Nabers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.

Update: Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters Friday that Nabers will not play.

The numbers show a pretty big improvement on defense compared to last year, how are the Giants better on that side of the ball compared to when these teams met last season?

Eisen: Brian Burns was acquired in a trade and the two-time Pro Bowler teams with Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux to give the Giants a productive three-man pass rush. Bobby Okereke hasn't missed a snap since his arrival last season and is a team leader. Second-round draft choice Tyler Nubin has played every snap at safety and played well.

Other than the obvious big names, but what player/players could you see being an X-factor in this game?

Eisen: Inside linebacker Micah McFadden. He leads the team with 27 total tackles and 18 solo stops, despite not playing in the first game. He has been stout against the run and will be a key in helping the Giants stop Kenneth Walker, Geno Smith, and Zach Charbonnet.

What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Monday?

Eisen: From head coach Brian Daboll to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to their defensive players, the Giants have spoken of their respect for Kenneth WalkerI III, who scored touchdowns against them in each of the last two seasons. The Giants are impressed with Walker's strength and ability to break tackles. Their run defense is keyed by inside linebackers Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke, the team's top two tacklers. In the teams' 2023 meeting, McFadden and Okereke combined for 15 tackles, but Walker ran for 79 yards and averaged 4.6 yards a carry. The Giants' defense hope to reduce those numbers Sunday.

The Seahawks and Giants face off on Oct. 6, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Giants.

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