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Fact or Fiction: Predictions for Week 8

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The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

The Giants will rush for at least 175 yards on Sunday

John Schmeelk: Fiction – The Seahawks defense is tied with the Bears for most total rushing yards allowed this season (1048) and only two teams are allowing more per game. The Giants have the second-most rushing yards in the NFL (1214) and are averaging the second-most yards per game (173.4). Those combined numbers points to a possible fact, but the Seahawks' pass defense isn't very good, either, and the Giants might have to air it out a little bit to keep up with Seattle's high-powered offense. The Giants certainly can eclipse this number, but just not thinking they will.

Dan Salomone: Fact – The Giants average 173.4 rushing yards per game, and the Seahawks allow 149.7. The Giants have found the winning formula, which starts on the ground. Why mess with it now?

Lance Medow: Fiction – If you simply look at the Seahawks' statistics on the season, you'll easily say fact because they're 30th against the run and are allowing 150 yards on the ground per game. But those numbers are a bit skewed based on two rough performances against the Lions and Saints in Weeks 4-5. Since then, the defense has turned the corner a bit against the Cardinals and Chargers in each of their last two games, including holding Los Angeles to just 53 rushing yards. The Giants have pretty much run the ball effectively against everyone this season so that won't change against Seattle, but you can't be surprised if they finish below 175 based on how the Seahawks' front seven has adjusted.

Matt Citak: Fact – A lot has been said about Saquon Barkley's production this season. The fifth-year running back leads the league in total scrimmage yards and ranks second in rushing yards. But Daniel Jones has also provided a big boost to the run game, rushing for a career-high 107 yards last week. Seattle ranks 29th in the league in rushing yards allowed, and the only reason it isn't lower is due to their effort in limiting the Chargers to just 53 yards on the ground last week. Between Barkley and Jones, along with the coaching staff's creativity in scheming unique running plays for unexpected players, the Giants will top the 175-yard mark in Seattle.

The Seahawks currently have the best offense on the Giants' schedule so far

John Schmeelk: Fact – As odd as it might sound that a Geno Smith-led offense is better than offenses led by Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Ryan Tannehill and Trevor Lawrence, that is absolutely what is happening. The Seahawks' offense, even without DK Metcalf is for real. Football Outsiders uses a rating called DVOA that gives a broad measure of offensive efficiency and they have the Seahawks as third in the NFL behind the Chiefs and Bills. Geno Smith is playing at a high level and the Seahawks have a running back that rivals Saquon Barkley in big-play ability with rookie Kenneth Walker III. They will be tough to stop.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – You still have to give the nod to the previous opponents who boast former NFL MVPs, which just shows you how well the Giants' defense has been playing against top competition. This week will be another tough test, though, especially in the deep passing game.

Lance Medow: Fiction – The Seahawks' offense has been impressive, thanks to a strong run game and the efficient play of Geno Smith. But the Giants have already played dangerous Ravens and Jaguars attacks. Don't dismiss the Seahawks' offense - and that unit deserves a lot of credit based on its production and explosive plays - but those other opponents haven't been too shabby.

Matt Citak: Fiction – This one was close, as the Seahawks' offense has shined with Geno Smith under center. However, the best offense remaining on the Giants' schedule has to be the Eagles. The NFC East rival ranks fourth in the NFL with their 26.8 points per game, while the unit ranks fifth in total yards per game. Jalen Hurts is enjoying a breakout season, while A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and Miles Sanders have each performed well, too. The Eagles' offense will be a tough challenge for the defense in Weeks 14 and 18.

View rare photos of the all-time history between the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks.

The winner of Giants vs. Seahawks will have to score more than 24 points

John Schmeelk: Fact – The Seahawks' and Giants' offenses are playing better than their defenses right now. The Giants' defense has allowed more than 400 yards in consecutive weeks, while the Seahawks are near the bottom of the league in most defensive metrics. Both teams have explosive running backs and rush defenses that have struggled giving up big plays this year. Both teams' backs have multiple big runs for touchdowns pumping up the scoreboard.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – Nobody is playing (and winning) tighter games than the Giants this season. Both sides are also dealing with injuries on offense. The Giants might have to slug out yet another game to enter the bye week on a high note.

Lance Medow: Fact – If you look at all seven Giants games, they haven't needed more than 24 points to win any of them. Yes, they scored 27 against the Packers but Green Bay only had 22 and even in their loss to the Cowboys, Dallas put up 23 points. With the Seahawks, it's been very different as they would have needed more than 24 points in four of their seven contests. Seattle is averaging 26 points per game and New York is allowing 19. A big reason behind the latter is opportunistic plays given the yardage the Giants have surrendered in the last two games. The Seahawks have struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone but beyond their opponents' 20, they've been very effective producing explosive plays. So, lean slightly toward more than 24 points because relying on a bend-but-don't-break philosophy is walking a bit of a tight rope.

Matt Citak: Fact – The Giants have jumped out to a 6-1 start while topping 24 points only once (Week 5 vs. Packers). However, they will need to score more than 24 points in order to defeat the Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle has the No. 5 scoring offense on the season, while their defense ranks 28th. Seattle also thrives in the run game, averaging 5.5 yards per carry this year, while the Giants' defense has struggled in that regard. This Week 8 matchup might end up being the highest-scoring contest the Giants have had thus far.

Darius Slayton will lead the Giants in receiving yards for the second consecutive week

John Schmeelk: Fiction – Slayton led the team in receiving yards but had two fewer targets and three fewer catches than rookie Wan'Dale Robinson. Robinson is developing into Jones' go-to player and he will lead the Giants in receiving yards more times than not as the season progresses. Slayton is the big play threat, however, and like last week, one big catch can turn the tables on this question. Despite that, smart money is still on Robinson.

Dan Salomone: Fact – He has rekindled his chemistry with Daniel Jones as the Giants reach the midway point of the season.

Lance Medow: Fiction – In seven games this season, no Giants player has led the team in receiving yards in consecutive weeks so, based on that trend, take the field over Darius Slayton. On top of that, the Seahawks have a young but very strong secondary as a pair of rookies in Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant have impressed combing for seven passes defensed, four interceptions and six forced fumbles. 

Matt Citak: Fiction – Slayton has been great over the last few weeks, leading the team in receiving yards twice while catching the only touchdown pass from Daniel Jones last week. Although he led in yards last week, he did not have the most targets or receptions – those categories belonged to Wan'Dale Robinson, who will be the team's leading receiver in Week 8. Robinson has seen his role grow over the last two games as he moves further away from the knee injury that forced him to miss four games. After playing 23 percent of offensive snaps in Week 6, that number jumped to 69 percent last week. Now that he's on the field more, Jones seems to be targeting him more. They will likely finish 1-2 in receiving yards this week, but the rookie is likely to take the top spot over Slayton.

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