Week 3 in the NFL was a wild ride for much of the league, and the New York Giants were no exception. The Giants are coming off a loss to the Cowboys in a game where there was horrendous offensive line play, a struggling wide receiver corps and glaring issues at linebacker, as the absence of Leonard Williams was most certainly missed.
While Week 3 was not a great showing for the Giants, Head Coach Brian Daboll said in his press conference after the game on Monday night that the team would watch the film and then it's time to move on to Chicago.
A Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears is a favorable one for Big Blue, and it's a game that should allow this team to get back on track. This is the fifth consecutive year that the two oldest franchises in the NFL meet, as both teams are coming into this matchup at 2-1.
Let's break down this Week 4 matchup!
What To Expect
- Kayvon Thibodeaux to build off his Monday night debut. Thibodeaux was on a pitch count last week and while no decisions have been made on whether or not he will be on a snap limit this week, he looks forward to "continuing his progress."
- Daniel Jones to have a little more time to operate
- A heavy dose of Saquon Barkley. The Bears' run defense is one of the worst in the league giving up 157 yards per game.
- Justin Fields to use his wheels when he needs to. Fields is averaging 31.7 rushing yards per game so far this season.
- Both teams have issues with their wide receivers regarding talent and availability. Neither team is great in the passing game.
- Khalil Herbert will have a successful day against a Giants defense that's allowing 138.3 rushing yards per game.
- These teams are more similar than people think, although I expect the better quarterback play to come from Daniel Jones.
- A defensive battle.
Numbers Don't Lie
- Over their last two meetings, the Giants and the Bears have combined for 11 field goals and five touchdowns.
- Justin Fields' 297 passing yards through three games is the lowest for a quarterback since 1975.
- The Bears have won three of the last four matchups against the Giants.
- The home team has won in each of the last four meetings.
- The Bears' passing offense is ranked last in the NFL, averaging 78.3 yards per game. The Giants are slightly better at 162.3 average passing yards per game.
- On average, both teams allow less than 20 pts per game at 19.0 and 19.7, respectively.
Injury Report – Giants (notable)
- Leonard Williams (did not practice)
- Wan'Dale Robinson (did not practice)
- Kadarius Toney (did not practice)
- Aaron Robinson (limited practice)
- Jihad Ward (limited practice)
Injury Report – Bears (notable)
- David Montgomery (did not practice)
- Jaylon Johnson (did not practice)
- Robert Quinn (did not practice/illness)
- Roquan Smith (limited practice)
- Velus Jones Jr (limited practice)
Key Matchup of the Game
A Defensive Battle
- If you couldn't tell by the over/under at 38.5, this game has defensive battle written all over it, and for good reason. Both teams are struggling in the passing game, but both teams have performed defensively. Neither defense allows much scoring, so if high-powered offenses are your thing, this will not be the game for you. This game will come down to turnovers. The Bears have had five takeaways after three games and at least one takeaway in each. Meanwhile, the Giants have only turned the ball over three times this season. I expect the Bears to work hard to force some turnovers, but Daniel Jones has been much better at protecting the ball, so these turnovers won't come easy for the Bears. On the flip side, I expect the Giants' defense to have a Field Day (see what I did there).
Take the bet? NYG -3 CHI +3 O/U 38.5
Hopefully, you have taken my betting advice over the past three weeks regarding the Giants because yours truly is 3-0 ATS. This week the Bears are 3-point favorites heading into Sunday's matchup, but the Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last eight meetings against the Giants. In the previous six meetings, the underdog is 5-1 ATS. The Giants are not great at covering the spread at home either, with a record of 10-23-1 ATS in their last 34 games.
Neither team puts up big points offensively and the Giants have gone under the total in 21 of their last 28 matchups and are 18-6-2 to the under in their previous 25 home games. The Bears are 18-8 going under the total in their previous 26 games versus a team that has a winning record.
Who Wins
Giants win and cover. Giants 24, Bears 10. Take the under.
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