The Giants surrendered 490 yards in the Week 5 loss to the Vikings and will play the Patriots on Thursday.

Analysis: New York was coming off a dominant performance against Washington in Week 4 but couldn't handle Minnesota's higher-caliber playmakers, with Davin Cook (218 scrimmage yards) and Adam Thielen (130 receiving yards) dominating the game. Overall the Giants rank 30th in total defense (409.4 YPG) and 24th in scoring defense (25.0 PPG) through five contests. Meanwhile, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have only five giveaways and are averaging 31.0 PPG, keeping the Giants from fantasy consideration once…read more

The Giants held the Redskins to three points and 176 yards Sunday and will face the Vikings in Week 5.

Analysis: New York surrendered at least 28 points in each of the first three games, but they completely dominated the Redskins in Week 4, recording four takeaways and three sacks. The Vikings had similar offensive struggles against the Bears, but they still have significantly better weapons than the Redksins with RB Dalvin Cook and WRs Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Overall the Giants rank in the bottom half in the league in scoring (24.2 PPG) and total defense (389.2 YPG), making them an avoidable…read more

The Giants have given up an average of 460.3 yards and 31.3 points per game through three contests, each the second-most totals in the league.

Analysis: New York's defense has also only forced one turnover so far this season. The Giants will take on a Washington offense Sunday that has mostly struggled this season. The Redskins have accrued just 144 rushing yards so far in 2019 - the third-lowest tally ahead of only Miami and Cincinnati - but have, to their credit, averaged 288.3 passing yards per game, good for ninth-highest in the league. While Washington's offense doesn't pose much of a threat, the Giants' defensive unit hasn't proven to be…read more

The Giants' defense gave up 388 total yards to the Bills in Week 2 and are set to face the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Analysis: New York's defense certainly hasn't impressed this season. The unit has given up 882 yards to opposing offenses this season, which ranks them as the fifth-worst defense in that category. The Giants have also yielded 63 points through two games, which ties them with the Redskins for second-worst in that category. This week, the Giants draw a decent matchup against the Buccaneers - who have only managed 584 yards and 37 points while turning the ball over four times through two games this season -…read more

DT Dexter Lawrence is battling a shoulder injury heading into Sunday's game against the Bills.

Analysis: The Giants had a rough start to the season defensively, as QB Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to 35 points and 494 yards, including 405 through the air while not being sacked or turning the ball over. Buffalo's offense is much less potent than Dallas, but the lack of defensive playmakers for New York was apparent in Week 1. QB Josh Allen threw two picks and lost two fumbles in the Bills' season opener, but the Giants have yet to illustrate that they're a worthwhile fantasy option, regardless of…read more

Rookie first-round pick Dexter Lawrence is expected to start at defensive tackle in Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys.

Analysis: The Giants finished 2018 ranked 24th in total defense (371.4 YPG), 23rd in scoring (25.8 PPG) and will have to adjust to the offseason departures of OLB Olivier Vernon and S Landon Collins. RB Ezekiel Elliott ended his holdout this week and signed a massive extension, but it's good news for New York that he's expected to be eased into action with 20-to-25 snaps. QB Dak Prescott is otherwise expected to have his full complement of weapons and perhaps his entire starting offense line, so this…read more

CB Sam Beal is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Analysis: The losses of OLB Olivier Vernon and S Landon Collins this offseason leaves the defense devoid of any true playmakers, with S Jabrill Peppers and DT Dexter Lawrence poised to be the young bright spots of the unit. New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will have his work cut out for him as he takes over a group that ranked 24th overall (371.4 YPG) and 23rd in scoring (25.8 PPG) last season. Thursday's preseason opener against the Jets will provide the first look at coach Adam Gase's revamped…read more

The Giants have the fifth-most interceptions (16) this season. They play the Cowboys in Week 17.

Analysis: The Giants are fairly healthy on defense while the Cowboys are as well on offense, but they'll likely opt to rest players like QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott, or at least limit their workloads. Backup QB Cooper Rush has thrown just three pass attempts over his two NFL seasons while No. 2 RB Rod Smith hasn't rushed more than six times in a game this year. The inexperience of this group bodes well for the Giants to force some turnovers as well as notch a couple sacks. They handled the…read more

The Giants have held three of their last four opponents below 215 passing yards. They play the Colts in Week 16.

Analysis: The New York defense looked solid in the last two weeks, keeping the Redskins and Titans to a combined 33 points. This matchup will be a lot more telling about their potential, as the Colts have racked up at least 23 points in all but one outing since Week 3. The Colts also rank sixth in the league by scoring a touchdown on 67.9 percent of their red-zone trips and first by converting on 48.4 percent of third downs. The Giants have helped in the early rounds of fantasy playoffs due to their…read more

The Giants have forced three or more turnovers in three of their last three games. They play the Titans in Week 15.

Analysis: The Giants defense is coming on strong no matter who the opponent is, but they have a solid matchup ahead against the Titans, who rank 27th in the league with 19.3 points per game. They don't turn the ball over much and were boosted by a massive performance from RB Derrick Henry in Week 14, but that won't be replicated and shouldn't threaten the Giants out of fantasy contention. In fact, fantasy owners would be wise to deploy the Giants' defense while it's hot against against a normally…read more

The Giants have forced seven turnovers over the last three weeks. They play the Redskins in Week 14.

Analysis: How did the Giants get so lucky to play against backup quarterbacks in two straight weeks? In fact, this time they'll play against QB Mark Sanchez, who wasn't on an NFL roster three weeks ago and played his first snaps since 2016 when Colt McCoy broke his leg versus the Eagles. This will give the Giants plenty of opportunities to force takeaways. Redskins RB Adrian Peterson is showing he's ageless, and he may have success against the Giants' 24th-ranked run defense. Still, they'll have to pass…read more

The Giants have allowed over 124 rushing yards in each of their last four games. They play the Bears in Week 13.

Analysis: The Giants defense has yet to keep an opponent below 20 points, and it has allowed the seventh-most rushing touchdowns (11) this year. Bears coach Matt Nagy will look to exploit that with a mix of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky continues to look more comfortable in the pocket with a wide-range of pass-catching options at his disposal, including the running backs. That will make things tough for the Giants' sluggish secondary that has shown struggles against…read more

The Giants forced six turnovers in the last two games. They play the Eagles in Week 12.

Analysis: Despite four turnovers, the Giants were burned for 35 points by the Buccaneers in Week 11. A matchup with a struggling Eagles' offense is on the horizon. Philly scored just seven points last week and QB Carson Wentz threw three interceptions. These two teams played earlier in the season, and the Eagles racked up 34 points, and that was when the Giants had CB Eli Apple and DT Damon Harrison on hand. That leaves an unappealing low floor for the Giants D/ST, especially since it's unlikely Wentz is…read more

The Giants have kept their last three opponents under 24 points. They play the Buccaneers in Week 11.

Analysis: The Bucs were one of the hottest offenses in the league before getting held to just three points by Washington last week. Ryan Fitzpatrick still surpassed 400 yards for the fourth time, but he turned the ball over in the red zone twice while RB Jacquizz Rodgers did once. The lack of ball security near the goal line likely won't be replicated for the Buccaneers, but Fitzpatrick has shown a tendency throughout his career to take risks through the air. The Giants defense, which forced four…read more