4 Storylines Ahead of New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

The New York Giants will barely have a chance to catch their breath after their dramatic return from the dead triumph over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

New York, currently based in the Tempe-Phoenix area for the week, will continue their westward journey this week with a stop in Santa Clara, where they will meet the San Francisco 49ers. Already a double-digit underdog for the game, the 1-1 Giants are still trying to find their 2023 identity in their quest to make a second straight postseason appearance for the first time since the 2009-2010 seasons.

Here's a look at the storylines ahead of the Giants' second primetime

Life without Saquon

Running back Saquon Barkley may have dodged a bullet with his latest ankle injury in that it's not the dreaded high variety. However, he's still going to miss at least three weeks after his gamble to stay healthy for a second straight season went down the tubes last week in the final 90 seconds of the Giants' comeback thriller.

On the surface, the plan is to increase the reps for running back Matt Breida, Barkley's backup. While Breida's skill set isn't at the level of a healthy Barkleye's, he's still an underrated running back who can not only move the chains with some tough, between-the-tackles running but also serve as a receiver out of the backfield.

Barkley's absence could also potentially mean more designed runs for quarterback Daniel Jones, whose legs remain an asset for the offense. The Giants probably don't want to have Jones running 10+ times per game, but certainly, an extra carry or two in select spots could be in the cards for this team.

Gary Brightwell also figures to get some reps at the position, as might rookie Eric Gray.

The Offensive Line

The good news is that last week, the Giants' revamped offensive line--left tackle Joshua Ezeudu, left guard Ben Bredeson/Mark Glowinski, center John Michael Schmitz, right guard Marcus McKethan, and right tackle Evan Neal--played much better than the version on the field for the Week 1 debacle against the Dallas Cowboys.

Per Pro Football Focus, the Giants' O-line, which ranked dead last after Week 1, rose to No. 27 in pass-blocking efficiency rating. However, the Giants are still in the top five in total pressures allowed, tied for second with New England (35) for most pressures through two games.

But then again, no one is mistaking the Arizona Cardinals for the Cowboys' defense, just as no one will be confusing the Cardinals' defense with the one the Giants will see on Thursday night.

There is a remote possibility the Giants will get Thomas back from his hamstring injury. Bredeson, however, remains in the league protocol after suffering a concussion. And how will Neal and McKethan hold up on that right side against a major step up in competition?

Granted, Nick Bosa has yet to record a sack, but you know his "get right" game is coming, and it could be this week. So if Daniel Jones and company are to have any chance of keeping this competitive, that offensive line--whatever version it happens to be--better be ready to step up.

Stopping Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey currently leads the NFL in rushing yards (268) and is always the threat with the ball in his hands as he's been since entering the league. That's not good news for a Giants run defense, which, after struggling last year and coming in 27th, is off to another slow start.

New York has allowed opponents 136.5 rushing yards per game (26th) and 4.63 rushing yards per attempt (25th) this after upgrading the run defense in the off-season. Last week, they were gashed on the ground by the Cardinals, in particular, running back James Conner (106 yards on 23 carries), as Arizona finished with 151 yards on 29 attempts and two rushing touchdowns.

If stopping the run is one of the recipes for success in winning games in the NFL, the Giants better figure out how to do a better job of that. Their front seven already has six missed tackles against the run, led by inside linebacker Micah McFadden (three).

Thus far, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and linebacker Bobby Okereke have helped the run defense. However, still, when the team's tackle leader is a member of the defensive secondary, as was the case last week with safety Jason Pinnock finishing with 13 tackles, that's usually a sign of far too many ball carriers getting beyond the second level, which a run defense cannot have.

Faster Starts on Offense

Another disturbing trend the Giants have continued from last year is their slow start to the game. After being outscored in the first half of games last season 181-151 (which includes a 77-39 difference in the first quarter), the Giants have been outscored 46-0 through two games this season.

A football game is 60 minutes, and that every single one of those minutes is precious. One of the biggest culprits in the slow starts has been the inability to get the offense into a rhythm. That has to change, as does the elimination of costly, drive-killing penalties--of the Giants' three penalties on offense logged in the first 30 minutes of play, two have directly led to a stalled drive.

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