The Jacksonville Jaguars have first-hand knowledge of where the New York Giants are right now. In 2016, they finished with a 3-13 record (which was the Giants mark last season). Doug Marrone led them to a 10-6 mark in 2017 and marched the Jags to within one quarter of making it to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady and the Patriots put together a 14-point fourth quarter to beat the Jags in the Conference Championship game.
The Jaguars return most of their starters from a season ago, where they were second in the league in total defense and sixth in offense. They are a ground-and-pound offense which led the league in rushing attempts and rushing yards per game. With Leonard Fournette returning that should continue but look for Jacksonville to do some things differently this year. Up 10 points in the fourth quarter against the Patriots, they continued to try and run the ball but New England tightened up their run defense leading to the comeback.
How To Watch
Where: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Start time: Sunday, Sept. 9, 1 p.m. ET
TV Network: FOX
Stream Online: Watch live with fuboTV
The Giants are looking to completely turn things around. They've cleaned their house finding a new GM in Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur. Last season, the Giants were next to last in the league in defense and in the lower half on offense. They've put all their eggs in the Eli Manning basket opting to draft Saquan Barkley with the second overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Giants are hoping he sparks the offense much like Ezekiel Elliott did with Dallas. Barkley, however, doesn't have the offensive line that Elliott was running behind. Big Blue has picked up Nate Solder to man left tackle and Patrick Omameh for right guard. They drafted Will Hernandez for the left guard spot. Erick Flowers, who failed at left tackle, will move to the right tackle spot and Jon Halapio will snap the ball to Eli Manning. Those five guys will have to protect Eli Manning if there is any hope for the Giants to turn anything around.
