One of the main areas the first-year coaching staff of the New York Giants focused on this offseason was stopping the run. 2025 was not a good year for the Giants' run defense, which allowed 145.3 yards per game, second-worst in the NFL.
This year, through three games, the Giants are allowing 104.3 yards per game, good enough for 12th in the league. Quite an improvement. That could change this week, when they face the Arizona Cardinals and dynamic rookie running back Jeremiyah Love.
Love, who starred at Notre Dame and drew some interest from the Giants before this year's draft, was selected third overall by the Cardinals, two spots before the Giants were on the board. The Giants ended up with linebacker Arvell Reese, not exactly a consolation
prize.
After an ankle injury slowed him the first two weeks, Love is hitting his stride. Last week, in the Cardinals' 36-30 shootout loss to the 49ers in the Bay Area, Love racked up 109 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 26 touches.
Jeremiyah Love’s rushing share has climbed every week:
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 28, 2026
Week 1: 32%
Week 2: 53%
Week 3: 78%
Love is gearing up for a breakout. pic.twitter.com/eAK9sbmRQW
"It's not just him, it's their offense," Giants head coach John Harbaugh told reporters when discussing how to stop the Arizona offense.
But it appears that stopping Love is a good place to start. If it were only that easy.
"He's obviously capable of house calling it or making big runs at any time," added Harbaugh. "He's running very aggressively and trying to make those plays. He's a bounce threat. He's a cutback threat. He can spin. He's strong. But not just him. I think their offensive line is very physical. Their blockers block. Their wide receivers insert, kind of like the Rams offense. They can put three tight ends out there at any time. It's going to be a challenge."
Love is no stranger to the Giants. They scouted him extensively during the pre-draft process and even hosted him for a Top 30 visit on March 12. There were rumors that had Love fallen to them at No. 5, there would have been a heated debate on whether to take him or not.
That's all water under the bridge now. The talk this week is how not to fall victim to this emerging young star.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants had pre-draft interest in Jeremiyah Love; now they have to stop him
