CB Corey Webster vs. WR Sidney RiceRice, a Pro Bowler in 2009, has only played in two games this season but still has 188 yards on 11 catches. He got into the end zone for the first time last week against the Atlanta Falcons on a 52-yarder from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Rice and Jackson played together in Minnesota prior to Seattle, and while they get on track, Webster is looking for his first interception of the season (he is the last starting defensive back on the Giants without one). And with Jackson, who threw two of his four picks last week, Webster could capitalize.
and the Giants run defense
Perhaps known best for his beastly 69-yard touchdown run in last year’s playoffs, Lynch and his number of carries have been up and down through the first four games of the season. In order, beginning with week one, Lynch has taken the ball 13, 6, 19 and 8 times for 141 yards and one touchdown. Seattle currently has the second-worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging 67.5 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Giants are 21st in the NFL against the run, allowing 116.5 yards a game and five touchdowns. In his second game back, Osi Umenyiora said he is still committed to stopping the run game.
"No question," Umenyiora said on Friday. "I play the run very, very well. Forget what you heard. I'm going to continue to do that and keep working on that and keep progressing as far as that's concerned."
RB Ahmad Bradshaw and the Giants rushing attack vs. Seattle's run defenseConversely, the Giants run game is 24th in the league, averaging fewer than 80 yards per game. However, they are still tied for second with five touchdowns while the Seahawks are third in the NFL in giving up just 3.2 yards per attempt. With Brandon Jacobs doubtful for Sunday, Ahmad Bradshaw, who is averaging 14 carries per game, will have an increased workload. Jacobs' injury could also lead to more D.J. Ware, who had a career-high 13 carries in the fourth quarter of the rout in Seattle last season.
"I think about that all the time," Ware said. "I realize that it was a good game last year and I got a chance to get in there and get 13 carries in the fourth quarter. That is productive so I am just trying to lead up to that and continue to follow up with that."
LT Will Beatty vs. RDE Red BryantBryant, one of the biggest defensive ends in the league at 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, is part of Seattle's success so far against the run. Beatty has already proved himself going against two Pro Bowlers in the past two games in Darnell Dockett and Trent Cole.
"We'll do what we can (against Bryant)," offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. "Sometimes you have to match up instead of just one guy. So you're going to zone block so you put the tackle and the tight end on a guy that size. We know we'll have our hands full."
