New York Giants - Las Vegas Raiders Matchups to Watch
The New York Giants will face the Las Vegas Raiders in their ninth game of the 2023 season, hoping to put some points on the board after last week's blunder against the New York Jets.
This battle has several talented players matched against one another, making for some great entertainment. Still, these two particular matchups are among the key ones that could influence Sunday's outcome.
When the Giants Have the Ball
The Giants got good news this week, as starter Daniel Jones was cleared for full contact on Wednesday. But the guy to watch on Sunday when the Giants have the ball is running back Saquon Barkley.
The two-time Pro Bowl suffered a high ankle sprain earlier in the season, which kept him out for three games. However, he's played his best football regarding scrimmage yards this season in Weeks 6-8. Barkley rushed a career-high 36 times this past Sunday against the Jets for 128 yards.
The 26-year-old certainly can wear out this Raiders defense that has allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (140.6) this season.
However, the Raiders aren't completely in self-destruct mode against the run, as they have linebacker Robert Spillane, who will be among those who attempt to limit Barkley.
After five years of limited snaps and starts with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers, Spillane has hit his stride in his first year donning the silver and black. The 27-year-old has started in all eight games and has recorded a team-high 65 tackles, 13 more than anyone else on the Raiders and 22nd in the NFL.
Spillane has been dealing with a hand injury, but there doesn't appear to be much worry about him missing time just yet. If he's healthy enough come Sunday, he could be in for a big game against an injury-riddled Giants offensive line that may or may not have back tackles Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and Evan Neal (ankle).
When the Raiders Have the Ball
A common misconception in sports is that if you have only a couple of superstars on your team, winning games won't be an issue. However, the Raiders have proved that the entire roster and coaches impact the season's outcome.
One of those superstars who has been somewhat of a light in the Raiders' 3-5 tunnel is wide receiver Davante Adams. The 30-year-old has had a couple of great games this season but has played far from his six-time Pro Bowl self. This isn't necessarily his fault, though, as he's often been open with his renowned route-running ability but hasn't been targeted.
Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been subpar in his six games, and his ineffectiveness has landed him on the bench moving forward. Fourth-round rookie Aidan O'Connell will be getting the third start of his career. Luckily for Adams, his second and third-most targeted games this season were when O'Connell was in the lineup.
Adams could be in store for a big game because of this, but he'll often stand opposite Giants rookie cornerback Deonte Banks. The 24th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft has done a really solid job in his first eight career games, as he's second among rookies in pass breakups (6) and has an interception to his name.
Banks has gone head-to-head against many talented receivers so far, but Adams is perhaps on an entirely different level, as he's been considered among the very top of his position for the past few years. In addition to consistently creating space from defenders before the ball is even in his hands, Adams can make contested catches in traffic.
Banks will have to keep Adams towards the sidelines and not allow inside leverage if he wants to prevent a big game from the elite playmaker. If the rookie succeeds, he'll gain much more recognition, and his confidence will soar.
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