The Seahawks are back home this weekend and hosting the New York Giants, the third meeting between these team in as many seasons, with the Seahawks winning in both 2022 and 2023. To help you get ready for this week's game, we reached out to Giants.com senior writer Michael Eisen with five questions about this week's opponent:
The Giants have been held under 20 points in all three losses, what has held the offense back so far and what will they be looking to change heading into Sunday's game in Seattle?
Eisen: The Giants could use some more big plays. In four games, they have just five plays longer than 25 yards – four passes (three to Malik Nabers) and one 43-yard run that would have been a touchdown had Devin Singletary not given himself up at the one to run the clock. They need to find a way to stretch the defense.
Malik Nabers has been thrilling to watch from afar, just how much of a spark has he provided for that offense, and what is his status this week after leaving last Thursday's game with a concussion?
Eisen: Nabers' impact has been enormous. His 35 receptions are five more than anyone else in the league. He is the first receiver in NFL history with 35 catches, 386 yards, and three touchdowns in his first four games, and the youngest in history to catch two touchdown passes in a game. Nabers has been targeted on 52 of the Giants 145 total pass attempts – including one that he threw – a 35.9 percentage that is the highest in the NFL. As for his status – as with any player who has suffered a concussion, that's up to the independent neurological consultant, but Nabers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.
Update: Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters Friday that Nabers will not play.
The numbers show a pretty big improvement on defense compared to last year, how are the Giants better on that side of the ball compared to when these teams met last season?
Eisen: Brian Burns was acquired in a trade and the two-time Pro Bowler teams with Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux to give the Giants a productive three-man pass rush. Bobby Okereke hasn't missed a snap since his arrival last season and is a team leader. Second-round draft choice Tyler Nubin has played every snap at safety and played well.
Other than the obvious big names, but what player/players could you see being an X-factor in this game?
Eisen: Inside linebacker Micah McFadden. He leads the team with 27 total tackles and 18 solo stops, despite not playing in the first game. He has been stout against the run and will be a key in helping the Giants stop Kenneth Walker, Geno Smith, and Zach Charbonnet.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Monday?
Eisen: From head coach Brian Daboll to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to their defensive players, the Giants have spoken of their respect for Kenneth WalkerI III, who scored touchdowns against them in each of the last two seasons. The Giants are impressed with Walker's strength and ability to break tackles. Their run defense is keyed by inside linebackers Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke, the team's top two tacklers. In the teams' 2023 meeting, McFadden and Okereke combined for 15 tackles, but Walker ran for 79 yards and averaged 4.6 yards a carry. The Giants' defense hope to reduce those numbers Sunday.
The Seahawks and Giants face off on Oct. 6, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Giants.
A pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Paul Skannis (82) is about to be intercepted by Carl Banks, left, of the New York Giants during second quarter of Nov. 9, 1989 game at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants Larry Csonka leaves the game with bandaged knee, hurt running the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the game, Nov. 28, 1976 in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Giants wide receiver Ike Hilliard, right, cradles the ball in the end zone for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks safety Marcus Robinson, rear, and cornerback Willie Williams, left, defend during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Hilliard scored with 20 seconds left in the game to give the Giants the 27-24 win. Looking on is Giants Joe Jurevicius (84). (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants is taken down for a 4-yard loss by Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) heads for the endzone as he is pursued by Seattle Seahawks Natu Tutagaloa during the third quarter of 23-10 Giants win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
Seattle Seahawks quarter back Stan Gelbaugh (18) gets sacked by Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants for a 12-yard loss in the first quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992 in East Rutherford. Giants' Eric Dorsey, rear moves in to help Taylor. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (92) returns a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 23, 2001. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 27-24. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Evan Pinkus)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Ralph Brown after catching a pass for a 14-yard gain during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. There was a penalty on Brown for defensive holding, which was declined by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Jeremy Shockey, left, is brought down by Seattle Seahawks Marquand Manuel (33) and Bryce Fisher after a fourth quarter pass reception, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005, in Seattle. Shockey led the Giants with 127 yards receiving . The Seahawks won in overtime, 24-21. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, left, looks for running room during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006. The Seahawks said Monday, Sept. 25, 2006 that Alexander has a broken left foot and will be lost to the team for at least a couple of weeks. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) loses the ball as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney (97) in the second quarter of their NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seattle Seahawks Charlie Whitehurst (6) in action against the New York Giants in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) goes out for a pass while covered by New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) during the NFL week 5 football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 9, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks won the game 36-25. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Ralph Brown after catching a pass for a 14-yard gain during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. There was a penalty on Brown for defensive holding, which was declined by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fends off New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the game against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
The Seahawks offense does their "techno" touchdown celebration after Jimmy Graham's one-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
