Double Date

Going into this season, who would have thought that the NFC East was the hot division in the National Football League?

And after the hard-fought win vs the Atlanta Falcons, the Washington Commanders are very much in meaningful football territory with five to go. There is now a stern test ahead, with back-to-back match ups vs the New York Giants, the first of which is on Sunday.

The Giants were also unfancied to make a splash in 2022 but made a great start under new Head Coach Brian Daboll and currently stand third in the NFC East with a 7-4 record, despite hanging up two losses in succession vs the Lions and Cowboys.

Here at UKHTTC, Christian took some time out with Giants aficionado James Masini of Sunday Night Lights to get an opposition point of view on these critical match ups.

James, welcome back to UKHTTC. At the start of the season, we had a chat about both franchises chances this season and our joint view was a record around .500 would be seen as a positive. It is fair to say we will both be wanting a bit more than 9-8 now. What are your three main reasons for the impressive record for the NYG so far this season?

Coaching has been critical.

There is a new culture around the team and it’s great to see. It’s not easy to build and some of that winning mentality still needs to become more natural but there’s a positivity around the joint that we’ve not seen in a decade.

Saquon finding some health and form has also been hugely important and at times he has hit the sort of highs I never thought I’d see from Barkley again in a Giants uniform

Finally, it’s been nice to see Andrew Thomas emerge as a franchise Left Tackle. He had a rocky start to his career but he’s been invaluable this year.

For both franchises, it would appear sticking to the running game has been critical for success. Saquon Barley has in general, looked his old self in 2022, but has looked a little off the boil the last few games. Which Barkley will we see vs. the Commanders?

Hard to say.

He’s definitely looking like he might have peaked or is carrying something. It’s been a long road back to recovery so some wear and tear was inevitable.

Hopefully he finds something, as frankly, he’ll need to as the team cannot function on the passing game alone

The Daniel Jones question: is Dimes the long-term answer at QB in New York? With the current trend of rushing mixed with play-action, Jones would seem to be a good fit for the Giants, or might they not want to pay?

He’s never been the QB for me and he’s still not.

His mobility has been a huge asset and OC Mike Kafka has schemed well to hide his inadequacies but they’re still there. Whilst we’re winning in spite of him and not because of him, he’s not right for us.

The problem now is that however the final third of the season goes, we’ll be picking too late to make a meaningful play for Young or Stroud in the draft.

Looking at Washington, who do you fear in burgundy & gold and where do you think the Commanders might be weaker?

Washington are on a hot streak but I’m still not sold on your QB situation. The Martindale defence has looked robust and I think we can pose enough questions to keep it tight.

In terms of fears - I think the return of Chas Young is the big one. Danny Jones continues to struggle with pressure and if Young can get home, the Giants will be unlikely to win.

Kayvon Thibodeaux was taken at 5 in the 2022 Draft and seemed to have a breakout game vs Dallas last week. Is he justifying that pick and will be a danger off the edge for many a season to come?

That’s definitely the hope and I think he’s justified the pick.

The whole D line has looked pretty good but Kayvon’s impact has been really pleasing now he is injury free. I’d like to see Martindale scheme him around a bit more but there’s plenty of time for that.

My UKHTTC prediction is that whoever wins the first match up will then go and take the second game too. I can see a 2-0 record rather than a split. Your prediction for the double-header and any last thoughts?

I think the Giants do enough to go at least 1-1.

The weather is potentially going to play a role too so that could nullify homefield advantage at some point. I am not convinced that 8-9/9-8 isn’t as good as we’re both looking at but that may be good enough to sneak in the playoffs.

All 4 NFC East sides couldn’t get in….could they??!