10 things to watch in Giants vs. Seahawks

Kayvon Thibodeaux has started to heat up over the last few games. After picking up his first half-sack of the season against the Browns in Week 3, the third-year outside linebacker got his first full sack of the season against the Cowboys the following week. According to Pro Football Focus, Thibodeaux has multiple pressures in each of the last three games with 10 total during that span, including five against Dallas. Heading into this week’s game, he ranks second on the team with 11 total pressures on the season, while his six quarterback hits, with at least one in every game, match Dexter Lawrence for the team-lead.

“We’ve been productive for the most part trying to affect the quarterback,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said Thursday when asked about the team’s front four. “We’ve had some sacks from some other places. I think that’s a product of those four as well. Being able to understand how guys are blocking us, just continuing to find ways to create one-on-one for those guys, give them some opportunities. Teams are doing a good job getting the ball out, too.

“I mean it takes all 11 to affect the quarterback. It’s not just the front four, so we’ve got to understand that as a defense as well, with just what we’re asking these guys to do coverage-wise, what we’re playing, to be able to buy a little bit more time potentially for those guys to get home. But I’m pleased with where they’re at. Again, I don’t think the production ultimately shows the effectiveness of them up to this point. I’m sure they’d all love to have multiple sacks. Hopefully they come, but at the same time, I think they’re doing a good job for us.”

Geno Smith has faced a 33.1 percent pressure rate this season, which comes in at the 14^th-highest in the NFL and has led to 11 sacks on the year. When facing pressure, Smith has completed 52.2 percent of his passes for 297 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for a 61.6 passer rating. This is compared to a 100.8 passer rating when not pressured. Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross has surrendered 13 total pressures this season, according to PFF, while right tackle Stone Forsythe has given up 20 pressures.

Tyler Nubin has registered 21 total tackles on the season, which is tied with Jason Pinnock for the fourth-most on the team. In last week’s game against the Cowboys, the 23-year-old rookie was tied with McFadden for the team-lead in tackles with eight, while he also forced the first fumble of his NFL career.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Nubin’s game has been his reliability. The rookie safety has been on the field for every defensive snap thus far, joining linebacker Bobby Okereke as the only two players to do so. Additionally, Nubin has missed just one tackle this season, according to PFF, and has allowed only four receptions for 38 yards on 150 coverage snaps. Nubin’s strong start led to him being named to Dane Brugler’s early All-Rookie Team.

“He’s been good for us,” Bowen said about the rookie safety. “I think the communication shows up, all the things that we kind of expected out of him, being a leader on the field, taking control, communicating with guys, helping the guy next to him. Again, I would go back to just some of the situational awareness in the league. These young guys, they’re kind of learning by fire right now with some of that stuff, but I’ve been pleased with how he’s played, showing up, tackling.

“He’s played physical for us. Really just continue to learn from mistakes with all those guys, and when you play with young guys, it’s going to happen at times. So just continuing to build, make new mistakes, learn from it, keep growing, keep understanding what the game is at this level.”

Nubin should play a big role in the run defense, as his 15 run tackles on the season are tied for the second-most on the team. But the former Minnesota Golden Gopher will also match up against Seattle’s tight ends in coverage. Seahawks tight end Noah Fant is fifth on the team with 11 receptions for 111 yards, while rookie tight end AJ Barner just caught his first NFL touchdown in Monday’s loss to the Lions.

Smith has a talented group of playmakers around him in the Seahawks offense, starting with running back Kenneth Walker III. The third-year back returned on Monday after missing the previous two meetings and picked up right where he left off. Walker ran the ball just 12 times against the Lions but gained 80 yards (6.7 avg.) and scored a career-high three touchdowns while adding four receptions for an additional 36 yards, an impressive feat against Detroit’s elite run defense. Walker carried the ball 20 times for 103 yards (5.2 avg.) and a touchdown in the season opening win over the Broncos before an abdomen injury sidelined him for the next two weeks. Backup running back Zach Charbonnet has rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns this season in addition to catching 15 passes for another 115 yards and a touchdown.

“He was obviously excellent at Michigan State,” Daboll said about Walker, who he called one of the better backs in the NFL. “He is tough. He’s elusive. He breaks tackles. Charbonnet is a good player too.”

When it comes to the passing game, the Seahawks have a deep wide receiver corps. The group is led by two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf, who has reeled in 24 passes for a team-high 366 yards and two touchdowns. Metcalf has had previous success against the Giants, totaling 14 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns across three career games. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound wideout has topped 100 yards in each of his last three games, which has led to him ranking third in the league in receiving yards.

“It’s hard,” the head coach said about preparing for a receiver like Metcalf. “You can’t simulate the strength, the size, and the speed. But you do the best job you can out here. He’s a talented, talented guy who has all those qualities: big, fast, strong, explosive, competitive, plays the right style. He’s a good player.”

Second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the Seahawks with 25 receptions, which he has taken for 226 yards. His 25 receptions has him tied with Houston’s Stefon Diggs for sixth in the NFL, as he has had eight or more receptions in two of four games this season. The long-time veteran Tyler Lockett ranks third on the team with 18 receptions for 199 yards.

“They have good playmakers really at all three positions,” Daboll said about Seattle’s offensive weapons. “But those receivers, again, Jaxon was a good player coming out of Ohio State, very instinctive. Really liked him in the evaluation process. He’s got very good feel in the slot. Lockett, I worked him out a long, long time ago at Kansas State. What a great career he’s had and it doesn’t look like he’s slowed down too much. And then DK, he’s DK. Big, fast, explosive, strong, tough, plays the right way. Then you add the element of those two backs. I just can’t say enough good things about Walker. He’s a very impressive player to watch on tape.”

*The Seahawks allowed 42 points in Week 4 after allowing 43 combined points in Weeks 1-3.

*The Giants have allowed just one rush touchdown in 2024, tied with the Vikings and Steelers for the fewest in the league.

*Entering Week 5, the Giants are the only team to have multiple players (Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson) with 35+ targets in 2024. They are also two of five players in the NFL with more than 25 catches.

*The Giants are 2-8 under Daboll when they have 90 or fewer rush yards in the game. Seattle’s defense has allowed 116.3 rush yards per game.

*Daniel Jones completed 29 of 40 attempts (72.5 percent) for 281 yards in Week 4 & aims for his 3rd in a row with a 70+ completion percentage. Jones has 2+ TD passes & 100+ passer rating in each of his first two road starts this season.