The New York Giants (3-2-1) will look to bounce back from a disappointing Week 6 loss when they travel to take on the Houston Texans (2-4) on Sunday.
The Giants have shown flashes of potential this season, but they'll face a significant test against a Houston team that has won back-to-back games after a slow start to the year.
Big Blue made a significant change at quarterback this week, opting to go with J.J. McCarthy over Jameis Winston following the former's 243-yard performance in the fourth quarter during the Week 6 loss. It wasn't enough to complete a comeback, but it was an impressive debut nonetheless.
There are several intriguing matchups to watch in this one, particularly in the trenches and on the perimeter, where individual battles could
ultimately help determine the outcome.
Here are three key matchups to watch in Sunday's game.
Abdul Carter vs. Trent Brown
The Giants need their pass rush to make its presence felt, and Abdul Carter could have an opportunity to do exactly that against Houston's offensive line. The second-year edge rusher will have his work cut out for him against veteran tackle Trent Brown, who brings significant size and experience to the Texans' offensive front.
However, Brown's health is worth monitoring heading into Sunday. He was listed as a non-participant on Houston's injury report, making his availability and potential workload an important storyline.
Carter has recorded 2.0 sacks through five games and has shown the ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks even when he doesn't finish the play. He's also coming off a productive stretch that included a sack and forced fumble against Washington.
Houston's offensive line will have to account for Carter's explosiveness off the edge, particularly if the Giants can create favorable pass-rushing situations. If Carter can consistently pressure C.J. Stroud and force hurried throws, it could be a significant boost for a Giants defense looking to generate more game-changing plays.
Malik Nabers vs. Derek Stingley Jr.
Few individual matchups are more intriguing than the potential battle between Malik Nabers and Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Nabers is coming off another impressive performance against New Orleans, hauling in 12 receptions for 165 yards. He has now eclipsed 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games, establishing himself as the focal point of New York's offense.
The challenge, of course, will be navigating a Houston secondary that features one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks in Stingley. Stingley's combination of coverage instincts, physicality and ball skills makes him a difficult assignment for any receiver. If Houston elects to give him significant responsibility against Nabers, the Giants' star wideout will need to find ways to create separation and win at the catch point.
However, this matchup won't necessarily be a snap-by-snap one-on-one battle. Coverage rotations, safety help and Houston's defensive scheme will all play a role in determining how often the two square off.
The Giants should look to move Nabers around the formation, utilizing motion and different alignments to prevent the Texans from making his assignments too predictable. Getting Nabers involved early could be particularly important, especially with New York potentially facing a difficult afternoon against Houston's pass rush.
If Nabers can put together another productive outing against a talented secondary, it would go a long way toward giving the Giants a chance to pull off the upset.
Giants secondary vs. Nico Collins
The Giants' secondary faces another major challenge in Houston wide receiver Nico Collins. Collins remains one of the Texans' most dangerous offensive weapons, combining size, contested-catch ability and downfield playmaking to create problems for opposing defenses.
The veteran receiver enters Sunday's contest coming off a 74-yard receiving performance against Jacksonville. He also has a history of producing against New York, having caught a touchdown pass in the teams' previous meeting.
New York's secondary will need to be disciplined with its leverage and communication, particularly when Collins attacks the intermediate areas of the field. Allowing him to consistently win those routes could open up opportunities for Stroud to push the ball downfield and sustain drives.
The Giants also have to be mindful of how much attention they devote to Collins. Houston has other capable receiving options, and overcommitting coverage resources to one player could create opportunities elsewhere. That challenge becomes even more significant with the Giants managing injuries in their secondary. The team's ability to maintain sound coverage while generating pressure up front could be a deciding factor.Ultimately, the Giants need to make Collins work for his production. Limiting explosive plays and forcing Houston to execute longer drives would give New York's defense a better opportunity to create turnovers and get off the field.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Houston Texans: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 7
