By Sam Garnes
Bronx native and former NFL safety Sam Garnes who played for the Giants and Jets gives his perspective of Week 8.
New York Jets @ Chicago Bears @ 1 pm /Sunday 10/28/2018:
Last week’s final score was the result of a tight game that got away in the second half because of
turnovers. The Jets and had a total of four and Sam Darnold had all four accredited to him. If Sam and his New York Jets expect to win this game against the Chicago Bears, then it’s a must that he ends the day with zero turnovers. If not, this one can and will get out of hand quickly.
Mitch Trubisky and the Chicago Bears offense has the potential and ability to put up yardage and points quickly. So, the last thing you want to do is to keep putting them back on the field and tempting fate. The Jets are going to be without Bilal Powell who injured his neck in last weeks game and will need season ending surgery.
There have been rumblings coming from the team headquarters of the possibility of star receiver Robby Anderson and Center Spencer Long missing this week’s game. This obviously is not an ideal situation heading into a contest on the road against a playoff caliber team on a 2-game losing streak.
In other words, Chicago needs and expects to win this game. I expect a heavy dose of runs with Isaiah Crowell mixed with timely safe passes. Quick passes have been the formula for Miami and New England who have beaten the Bears the last two weeks, respectively.
This must be the game plan when you are facing Khalil Mack and Kyle Fuller. Kyle Fuller isn’t a shutdown corner, but he is smart and ball savvy. He leads the team with threeinterceptions. Sam Darnold’s game plan should consist of 0 turnovers. He has 10 interceptions so far
this year and he once to end this game with that stat remaining the same. Again, this was my only
concern regarding Sam Darnold entering the the NFL.
Defensively, the Jets need to be good tacklers in space, Tarik Cohen and Mitch Trubisky are dynamic with the ball in their hands. They like to get the ball to Tarik quickly and then let his legs take care of the rest. Because of his speed, agility and balance he rarely if ever gets tackled one- on- one in space.
Trubisky takes advantage of Defensive linemen pass rushing and not being disciplined in their lanes. If they get out of position he will take off and pick up chunks of yardage, especially on 3rd down. This usually deflates the team and tires the defense out because they must stay on the field for another three downs.
That will make for a long day for the Jets who are already depth challenged due to injuries.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants @ 1 pm Sunday 10/28/2018
NFC East teams do not pity their rivals. The Washington Redskins are in control of the division (4-2) and the Giants (1-6) find themselves in the role of spoilers right at the halfway mark of the season.
A few trades that include Eli (not that Eli) Apple to the Saints and Damian (Snacks Harrison) being traded to the Detroit Lions will test their depth on defense. Enough as been written about Eli Manning and the offensive lines woes. Through seven weeks at this point it is what it is. We need to focus on the defense coming out this week and playing lights out football.
It isn’t a big task because frankly, the Redskins offense is below average. A ball controlling unit led at QB by a steady if not exciting Alex Smith. They are ranked 24th in total offense and 24th in scoring. If the G-Men have any chance at winning this game they need to keep the scoring underneath 20 points for Washington.
The Giants are ranked 15th in total defense and are tied for 25th in points giving up with a 26.4 average. The Redskins have not beaten any great team thus far. The Panthers and the Packers were good victories but neither of those teams are headed to the Super Bowl at this point.
Adrian Peterson overall is having a good season, but he is bruised like most NFL players during the season. But, most players do not have to carry the ball 15-20 times per game with a target on their back or ribs.
He is the key to a Redskins victory. In the two games that they have lost against Colts and the Saints he had six yards and 20 yards respectfully. In the four victories he had 96 yards or more rushing in each of those games. In other words, make Alex Smith beat you!
Eli needs to get the ball to Odell Beckham, Sterling Shephard and Saquon Barkley. The Offensive line needs to protect Eli and open holes for Saquon. That’s it, oh, and do not turn the ball over. Washington has a +6 turnover rate and have force five turnovers while turning the ball over zero times during their current two game win streak.
The Giants are explosive enough on offense. They just need to play good turnover free ball from start to finish.
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