The New York Giants owe their two victories this season largely to their pass rush, which has tallied 15 sacks so far. On Sunday, they continued to apply pressure against the Cincinnati Bengals, managing to sack quarterback Joe Burrow four times, but ultimately lost the game 17-7. Nonetheless, the pass rush remains the foundation of the Giants’ defense. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is playing at an elite level, while edge rusher Brian Burns is also a standout performer. Looking ahead to their Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants are optimistic about their chances to exert pressure. Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, and on Monday, head coach Nick Sirianni mentioned that Mailata is expected to miss a few weeks. Given the level of assistance Mailata needed following the Week 6 victory, two weeks might be an optimistic timeline.
The potential loss of Mailata for Philadelphia cannot be overstated. He is among the top left tackles in the league and a key player on an elite offensive line, especially after Jason Kelce’s departure. Mailata excels in both run blocking and pass protection. The Eagles may opt to fill his position by either having swing tackle Fred Johnson take over or moving right guard Mekhi Becton to the left side, where he was originally drafted as a first-round pick. If Johnson steps in, Burns could find himself facing a second-string lineman, which would be advantageous. However, if Becton is chosen for the position, it could create more challenges for Philadelphia. Becton has struggled at left tackle since his rookie season and hasn’t played at a high level for several years, so his performance is uncertain. This change would also promote a backup guard, likely Tyler Steen, to right guard.
This situation is particularly favorable for Dexter Lawrence, who is regarded as the most dominant nose tackle in the league and frequently requires extra defensive attention. If Lawrence faces a backup guard, it could create problems for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Giants will also be missing some strength, as edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux was placed on injured reserve due to a wrist injury before Week 6. Azeez Ojulari stepped up effectively in his absence on Sunday, indicating that the Giants may experience less of a drop-off compared to the Eagles.
Leave a Reply