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Fact or Fiction: Key players & stat predictions for TNF

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

Linebacker Arvell Reese will have another sack on Thursday night.

John Schmeelk: Fact – The Giants closed the previous game against the Commanders making Cover 0 their primary defense at the end of the fourth quarter and in overtime. It seemed to work, making Jayden Daniels struggle to consistently complete passes. With the Commanders' injuries at wide receiver, and confidence in the Giants' cornerbacks to cover one-on-one, I would envision a similar approach this week. It should provide an opportunity for Reese to get home for at least one sack.

Dan Salomone: Fact – He has 4.5 sacks in his last four games, and they haven't even been his most impressive plays. The rookie is just scratching the surface on what he is going to become in this league. His hit on Joe Milton III went viral last week during a 1 p.m. game. Now a national audience will tune into what we've all been seeing.

Matt Citak: Fact – Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is coming up with new and exotic blitzes on a weekly basis, and over the last four games, that has helped lead to 4.5 sacks from Reese. The rookie is now tied for the league-lead in sacks among inside linebackers, and he will add to that on Thursday with a sack of Daniels.

Defensive lineman DJ Reader is the unsung hero of the team.

John Schmeelk: Fact – DJ Reader has been such a rock-solid piece in the center of the defense. He has been able to absorb and hold his ground against double teams in the run game, while also eliminating the depth of the pocket as an interior pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, he has a 14.2 percent win rate, which is only a half-percent lower than Jeffrey Simmons. Reader has been a Pro Bowl-caliber player at defensive tackle for much of the season. If he doesn't play this well, the defense would not be able to function using their formula of keeping two safeties high more often than not on early downs.

Dan Salomone: Fact – There is no better compliment for a player than a coach saying he is "such a pain in the rear to play against." John Harbaugh said that this week, recalling the nine times he faced Reader with the Ravens. "People want to categorize him maybe sometimes as a run stopper at this stage and yet, he's getting pressure too," Harbaugh said. "I just feel like that's spot on. I mean, he's been an anchor for us. He's been a really important signing for us. A lot of football left, but he seems like he's getting stronger every single game."

Matt Citak: Fact – He doesn't always make the splashiest plays, but Reader has probably been the most dominant player that hasn't received nearly enough credit for his level of play this year. While he has played well against the run throughout his career, Reader has improved as a pass rusher in Dennard Wilson's defense. There is a reason why heading into Week 10, Reader is Pro Football Focus' top-ranked interior defensive lineman.

View photos from the all-time series between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders.

The Giants' key to victory is limiting Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels on the ground.

John Schmeelk: Fact – I am confident that the cornerbacks can cover an injured Commanders receiving corps in one-on-one coverage, but man or match-zone coverages will often allow space for quarterbacks if the pass rush is not disciplined staying in their rush lanes. The Giants need to be disciplined with their rush up front and make sure that defenders in the second and third levels keep eyes on the quarterback to prevent scramble yards. I will be curious to see if the Giants decide to utilize spies more in this game, something they haven't done a ton of this season.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – Let's not forget what set off some tough conversations and consequences in the last meeting with Washington. That, of course, was ball security. The Giants' season so far has been as much about what they do than their opponent. If they can protect the football, which they have done in the last two games, they will come away victorious again.

Matt Citak: Fact – Daniels was held under 200 passing yards in the first meeting between the two teams. The issue was what the third-year QB was able to do with his legs, as he ran for over 100 yards and two touchdowns with an average of 11.4 yards per carry. Especially with the weather expected to once again play a factor, the Giants must force Daniels to beat them with his arm rather than his legs.

The Giants will have two players reach 100 yards from scrimmage against the Commanders.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – I think Malik Nabers will get there, though the Commanders could shift multiple players in his direction every play. I could see Cam Skattebo approaching 100 yards, especially if the Giants run the ball a lot in what might be difficult weather. Isaiah Likely or one of the other receivers could get to 100 yards, but I'm not sure the Giants will throw enough for that to be the case. I think Nabers will get to triple digits, but Skattebo falls just short since the Giants decide to give touches to other running backs to keep hm fresh coming off a hamstring injury.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Malik Nabers is the obvious choice for at least one. We saw what Cam Skattebo did the last time he was on the field. But I'm going to say Isaiah Likely gets there for the first time in what is unfolding as his best individual season. He came up six yards shy of 100 yards in the first game against the Commanders, and then just one short the following week.

Matt Citak: Fact – Cam Skattebo should be a "full-go" for this game, as Harbaugh told the media earlier this week, which will hopefully provide the run game with a boost. The last time we saw Skattebo on the field, he ran for a career-high 124 yards on just 17 rush attempts. Considering the injuries along the Commanders' defensive line, Skattebo will top 100 yards yet again in his return. As for the second player to reach 100 yards from scrimmage, take your pick between Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely. Either one, if not both, could easily top this number, as the two combined for 33 targets in the Week 5 meeting between the two teams.

The Giants are set to wear their "Vintage White" uniforms and fans are strongly encouraged to wear white to the game to "White Out" MetLife Stadium.

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White Out Game for Giants vs. Commanders on TNF

The New York Giants are calling on fans to help create a "White Out" environment at MetLife Stadium when they take on the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football, Nov. 12 at 8:15 p.m.

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