Streaking Giants face another road test against Seahawks

Updated Oct. 27, 2022 5:09 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NEW YORK GIANTS (6-1) at SEATTLE (4-3)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, FOX

OPENING LINE: Seahawks by 3, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

AGAINST THE SPREAD: Giants 6-1; Seahawks 4-3.

SERIES RECORD: Giants lead 10-9.

LAST MEETING: Giants beat Seahawks 17-12, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle.

LAST WEEK: Giants beat Jaguars 23-17; Seahawks beat Chargers 37-23.

GIANTS OFFENSE: OVERALL (19), RUSH (2), PASS (30), SCORING (18).

GIANTS DEFENSE: OVERALL (19), RUSH (28), PASS (15), SCORING (6).

SEAHAWKS OFFENSE: OVERALL (12), RUSH (10), PASS (16), SCORING (5).

SEAHAWKS DEFENSE: OVERALL (29), RUSH (29T), PASS (23), SCORING (28T).

TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Giants plus-3; Seahawks plus-2.

GIANTS PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Daniel Jones hasn’t posted eye-catching numbers this season during New York’s 6-1 start. But he’s made plays when opportunities have been presented and most notably avoided critical mistakes. Jones already has two true road wins this season, not including a win over Green Bay in London in what technically was a road game. He had five career road wins as a starter entering the season and a win in Seattle might top that list.

SEAHAWKS PLAYER TO WATCH: Rookie RB Kenneth Walker III rumbled for a career-best 167 yards — originally 168 before a stat correction by the league — and two touchdowns last week against the Chargers, including a 74-yard TD in the fourth quarter. He’s averaging 6.04 yards per carry over the past two games and now faces a Giants defense that has allowed 353 yards rushing combined over the past two weeks.

KEY MATCHUP: The Seahawks believe the past two weeks have been a turning point defensively, and specifically stopping the run. They held Arizona to 144 yards rushing, although 100 of that came from QB Kyler Murray. Last week, they limited the Chargers to 53 yards on the ground. But this week is a true test between Saquon Barkley and what Daniel Jones has provided with his legs. The Giants have topped 230 yards rushing three times already this season after accomplishing that just twice between 2012-21.

KEY INJURIES: TE Daniel Bellinger (eye), LG Ben Bredeson (knee) and RT Evan Neal (knee) are all expected to be out with injuries suffered last week against Jacksonville. WR Kenny Golladay (knee) is not expected to play, especially with the Giants bye coming next week. ... Seattle may be without WR DK Metcalf because of a knee injury suffered last week against the Chargers. Offensive linemen Phil Haynes (concussion) and Gabe Jackson (hip/knee) should both be back. Special teams standout Nick Bellore suffered a concussion last week and must be cleared. WR Penny Hart (hamstring) is out.

SERIES NOTES: The Seahawks had won four straight in the series — all convincingly — before the matchup two seasons ago in Seattle. Playing without fans in the stadium, Colt McCoy led the Giants to a surprising 17-12 victory as 11-point underdogs. Since making the switch to the NFC, Seattle holds a 6-5 advantage over the Giants.

STATS AND STUFF: The Giants are 6-1 for the first time since 2008. They have not won five straight games since the 2016 season. ... The Giants are the first team since 2000 and the third ever to have six wins in their first seven games and all of their games have been decided by eight points or less. Minnesota (2000) and New Orleans (1988) are the others. ... Jones was the NFC offensive player of the week after being the first Giants QB to throw for 200 yards and run for 100 yards in a game last week vs. Jacksonville. ... RB Saquon Barkley leads NFL in total yards (906) and is second in yards rushing (726). ... S Julian Love and S Xavier McKinney combined for 12 total tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last week vs. Jacksonville. McKinney had his first career forced fumble and Love recovered. ... DE Leonard Williams had 2½ sacks in the previous matchup against the Seahawks. ... Seattle is playing its only home game in a five-week span. Its next two games are away from Seattle followed by a bye week. Seattle’s next home game is Nov. 27. ... Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is one win away from tying Bud Grant for 18th on the wins list with 168. ... Seahawks QB Geno Smith continues to lead the NFL in completion rate (73.5%) and is third in passer rating (107.7). ... Walker’s 167 yards and two TDs last week was just the fifth time since 2014 a rookie has rushed for at least 165 yards and two scores in a game and the first since Jonathan Taylor in Week 17 of the 2020 season. ... Pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu leads the league with 31 QB pressures. ... CB Tariq Woolen is tied for the league lead with four interceptions. He had a streak of four straight games with a pick snapped last week. ... CB Coby Bryant leads the league with four forced fumbles. ... S Ryan Neal had a career-high four passes defensed and his third career interception last week.

FANTASY TIP: Not only is Barkley second in the league in yards rushing, he also leads the Giants with 25 receptions. Austin Ekeler had 12 catches last week against the Seahawks. Even if he’s held in check running the ball, Barkley should have a productive day against Seattle.

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