JANUARY 22, 2023 • GIANTS.COM
MATT BREIDA
Daniel Jones connects with Matt Breida for 19-yard gain | Giants vs. Eagles Highlights Quarterback Daniel Jones hits Matt Breida for a 19-yard gain in the first quarter against the Eagles.
Seven catches in finale Breida carried the ball four times for 28 yards and caught seven of eight targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles.
Impact With Saquon Barkley inactive in a relatively meaningless game for the Giants, Breida split the backfield workload with Gary Brightwell but didn't do much with his share of the touches. Breida and Barkley are both free agents in the offseason, but the latter is a top priority to re-sign while Breida may not be in the Giants' plans for 2023. Over 17 games this season, the 27-year-old managed only 220 yards and a TD on the ground and 118 yards through the air on 20 catches.
JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Role should expand sans Barkley Breida is expected to take on an increased workload in Sunday's game against the Eagles with top back Saquon Barkley (coach's decision) a healthy inactive for the contest.
Impact Barkley is sitting out the regular-season finale simply for preservation purposes, as the Giants are locked into as the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff regardless of the outcome of their game or any of the NFL's other contests Sunday. Considering that Gary Brightwell -- who has mainly been a special-teams contributor this season -- is the Giants' only other available running back, Breida looks as though he could be primed for his biggest role of the season. Breida fared well in garbage time of last week's commanding win over the Colts with nine carries for 59 yards and one reception for eight yards on 12 snaps, but even though he'll likely be in store for an increased touch count, expect his efficiency to take a major hit. Not only will be facing off against a tough Eagles defense that won't be resting key players, but Breida will also be playing alongside a third-string quarterback (Davis Webb) and a makeshift offensive line missing star offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who joins Barkley as a healthy inactive.
JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Tallies season-high yardage total Breida carried the ball nine times for 59 yards and caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's Week 17 win over Indianapolis.
Impact Breida did most of his work in garbage time, tallying 48 rushing yards on six fourth-quarter carries after New York had put the game well out of reach. The veteran back ripped off consecutive runs of 16 and 18 yards, respectively, for the bulk of his production, and he finished with one yard more than starter Saquon Barkley. Breida's 67 total yards was easily a season high, and he could see increased opportunity again next Sunday against Philadelphia if the Giants opt to rest (or reduce the workload of) their starters. New York clinched a playoff berth with the win over the Colts and has nothing to gain except momentum in the regular-season finale.
JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Gets just two touches Week 16 Breida carried the football twice for nine yards and did not see any targets in Saturday's loss to Minnesota.
Impact Neither Breida nor Gary Brightwell (one carry for a loss of one yard) saw much action in the critical contest for New York. Breida did get 11 offensive snaps to Brightwell's one, so the former should remain the primary backup to bell-cow back Saquon Barkley while all three ball carriers are healthy.
DECEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets minimal touches Week 15 Breida rushed twice for six yards and caught his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 20-12 win over Washington.
Impact Breida saw a season-high snap count last week against the Eagles, but with Saquon Barkley back at full strength, Breida returned to a less prominent role with just 11 snaps Sunday. Nearly all of his production came on a second-quarter drive during which he logged a five-yard rush and a six-yard reception to help set up a Barkley rushing touchdown. Breida hasn't exceeded 15 total yards or scored a touchdown in the Giants' past four games, so he has almost no fantasy value except as a stash in case of a Barkley injury.
DECEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Does little with extra opportunity Breida carried the ball three times for six yards and caught two of four targets for nine yards in Sunday's Week 14 loss to the Eagles.
Impact Breida actually led New York running backs with a season-high 23 offensive snaps Sunday, finishing just ahead of Gary Brightwell (21) and Saquon Barkley (20). Barkley's reduced playing time was the result of both a neck injury and a lopsided score, but it's telling that Brightwell logged such a high snap count after being limited to special-teams work the previous week. Brightwell also significantly outperformed Breida against Philadelphia, totaling 41 yards to Breida's 15. It's wise to monitor New York's injury report throughout the week to get an idea of Barkley's availability and potential limitations, but even if the No. 1 back is held out Week 15, ball-carrying work could be divided fairly evenly between Breida and Brightwell.
DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Could see uptick in opportunities Saquon Barkley (neck) is expected to be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Eagles, which could mean more opportunities for Breida, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Re...
Impact The Giants opted not to elevate a running back from the practice squad, meaning Breida and Gary Brightwell would be the two lone running backs available if Barkley was ultimately ruled inactive. Expect more clarity on the backfield situation well before the team's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but at the very minimum Breida appears to be a valuable pickup for fantasy managers desperate for low-rostered running back production.
DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Absent from ground game in tie Breida nabbed his only target for four yards and did not log a carry in the Giants' 20-20 tie with the Commanders on Sunday.
Impact Breida has been a very distant backup ball-carrying option behind Saquon Barkley all season, but he had gotten at least one carry in each contest prior to Week 13. The only two Giants to log a tote Sunday were Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones, so Breida's lack of action on the ground wasn't a matter of him being usurped on the depth chart. New York seems determined to put its offense on the back of Barkley as the team pushes for a playoff spot, so there is no expectation that Breida's opportunities will grow while the No. 1 back is healthy.
DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Usual limited production in loss Breida rushed twice for six yards and secured his only target for nine yards in Thursday's Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys.
Impact Breida remained second among New York running backs with 16 offensive snaps to Saquon Barkley's 44, but Gary Brightwell saw a season-high 10 offensive snaps and was much more effective than Breida, turning seven total touches into 49 yards. Brightwell hadn't previously gotten a carry since Week 5, so his increased opportunity Thursday could signal a threat to Breida's role as Barkley's primary backup. Breida hasn't been very effective this season, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry on 34 totes and playing a limited role in the passing game with eight catches on 10 targets for 79 yards over 11 contests.
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Vultures touchdown in loss Breida rushed three times for 13 yards and a touchdown while catching his lone target for 16 yards in Sunday's 31-18 loss to Detroit.
Impact Breida was able to boost his fantasy day by vulturing a short touchdown from starter Saquon Barkley. It was the speedy backup's first score of the season as he has served in a change-of-pace role for the Giants. Breida isn't worth rostering heading into an important showdown against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Breida scores his first TD of the season from 3 yards out | Giants vs. Lions Highlights Running back Matt Breida scores his first touchdown of the season from three yards out against the Lions.
NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • GIANTS.COM
Quiet again in Week 10 Breida gained 20 yards on six carries in Sunday's Week 10 win over Houston.
Impact Saquon Barkley once again took on a massive workload on the ground in the victory, logging a career-high 35 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown. That unsurprisingly relegated Breida to a small role, though his six carries were the most he has tallied in a game this season. There's no reason to expect Breida to suddenly gain a prominent role as long as Barkley remains healthy.
NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Train Like A Giant: RB Matt Breida Running Back Matt Breida gives us an inside look at his fitness routine, presented by Quest Diagnostics.
NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • GIANTS.COM
Sees limited action Sunday Breida rushed twice for five yards and corralled one of two targets for 10 yards in Sunday's Week 8 loss to Seattle.
Impact Breida had his best game of the season last week against Jacksonville when he totaled a modest 33 yards of offense. The veteran ball carrier couldn't build upon that against the Seahawks, finishing with fewer than three carries for the first time since Week 3 and totaling only three touches overall. Breida was the only Giants running back aside from Saquon Barkley to get a carry Sunday, so he's not vying with other backups for touches -- rather, Barkley continues to stay healthy and take on a workhorse role, thus limiting Breida's opportunities to produce.
OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
RB Matt Breida on the run game's success Running Back Matt Breida speaks to the media the day on Monday after the team's victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
OCTOBER 24, 2022 • GIANTS.COM
Totals season-high 33 yards Breida rushed four times for 19 yards and nabbed his only target for 14 yards in Sunday's 23-17 win against Jacksonville.
Impact The Jaguars were gashed on the ground by both Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, who each totaled over 100 rushing yards. Breida got in on the action to a far lesser extent, tallying his highest rushing total since Week 1 despite getting just four carries. He also converted his only air target into 14 yards to finish with a season-best 33 total yards. Breida has been getting a handful of touches per game to cement his position as New York's No. 2 back, but that doesn't translate into fantasy viability with Barkley in a workhorse role.
OCTOBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Nets 11 yards in win Breida rushed three times for minus-six yards and caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 24-20 win over Baltimore.
Impact Breida couldn't get going on the ground, as his first two carries went for negative yardage and his third produced only one yard. However, he did make an impact on a second-quarter drive that ended with the team's first touchdown, gaining 17 yards on a pair of receptions. Breida remains firmly entrenched behind workhorse running back Saquon Barkley on the depth chart, so he won't have much fantasy value unless Barkley is forced to miss time.
OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Daniel Jones fires to Matt Breida for 15-yard gain | Giants vs. Ravens Highlights Running back Matt Breida catches a 15-yard Daniel Jones pass to secure a first down in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens.
OCTOBER 16, 2022 • GIANTS.COM
Totals 27 yards in London Breida rushed four times for 14 yards and corralled both of his targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 27-22 win over Green Bay in Week 5.
Impact Breida didn't get his first touch until near the end of the first half, gaining three yards on a handoff from fellow running back Saquon Barkley to push the Giants down to the two-yard line. He saw more opportunity near the end of the third quarter and into the fourth after Barkley temporarily departed with a shoulder issue, and Breida turned his first catch of the campaign into a 13-yard gain on a drive that ended with a Gary Brightwell rushing touchdown. Breida continued in the contest on New York's next drive and added a 10-yard rush, though Barkley soon returned and ended the possession with a rushing touchdown. Breida finished the contest with a season-high yardage total, but it's clear that his role will continue to be minor as long as Barkley is able to take the field.
OCTOBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sees limited touches again Breida rushed three times for 18 yards and didn't receive any passing targets in Sunday's 20-12 win over Chicago.
Impact Breida didn't get his first carry until beyond the midway point of the second quarter, and that was his only touch through three periods of play. The bulk of his action came in the fourth quarter after quarterbacks Daniel Jones (ankle) and Tyrod Taylor (concussion) were hurt -- running back Saquon Barkley temporarily took snaps under center out of the wildcat until Jones was able to return to handing off the ball, and Breida logged runs of 13 yards and one yard on a drive that ended with a Graham Gano field goal. Breida's three rushes and 18 yards were each the most he has logged since Week 1, as Barkley has been the workhorse and clear centerpiece of the Giants offense thus far.
OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets just one touch Monday night Breida gained three yards on one carry and was not targeted in the passing game during a Week 3 loss to Dallas on Monday Night Football.
Impact It's clear that New York intends to rely as heavily as ever on Saquon Barkley this season despite his problems staying healthy in recent campaigns. Breida got just one carry Monday, while Barkley rushed 14 times for 81 yards and caught all four of his targets for another 45 yards. Breida has just eight rush attempts for 26 yards while notching no catches on one target through the first three weeks.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Loses yardage on lone carry Breida lost four yards on his only rushing attempt and did not catch his only target against Carolina in a 19-16 win Sunday.
Impact Saquon Barkley again dominated running back touches for the Giants in Week 2, notching 21 carries and four catches. Breida logged 11 offensive snaps and got just one touch, which was a carry for negative yardage late in the fourth quarter. Breida has collected just six rushing attempts and one target through two weeks, emphasizing his lack of fantasy relevance barring an injury to Barkley.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Giants rebuild with GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll
For the third time since 2018, the New York Giants are rebuilding againAUGUST 24, 2022 • Associated Press
Remains sidelined Sunday Breida (undisclosed) won't play in Sunday's preseason matchup against the Bengals, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
Impact Breida is dealing with an undisclosed injury and will be forced to miss a second consecutive preseason game. His final chance to take the field during the preseason will be Aug. 28 against the Jets.
AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
