Notebook: Giants prepare for another top tandem

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants’ secondary this week jumps from the fire into the…fire?

Seven days after facing one of the NFL finest wide receiver tandems in Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Giants Sunday must defend against another excellent duo in Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Their presence influences not only the pass defense, but the entire game plan, a sizeable segment of which will be devoted to former Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

“It is (a similar challenge),” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “I would say the challenging part of that for us a little bit is the run game. It’s just what you’re willing to live with at times. You’re delegating resources, you’re playing light box (to place more emphasis on stopping the pass). There’s a give-and-take to all that stuff. We’re going to have to be able to pick our spots and understand that.

“But yeah, knowing both those guys, very similar to last week. And I think understanding the skill sets of each guy and how they play, they’re different, just like Higgins and Chase are different-type players. When we’re matched up on somebody knowing their play style, who they are, we got to have awareness of them every play. We hopefully do a great job if they catch it underneath of rallying and getting them on the ground and do our best to keep them from getting behind us.”

Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott is one of the players tasked with meeting those goals.

“I feel like every week we’re going to face some elite receivers,” Flott said. “We got to go ahead, we got to play ball, we got to understand our assignment. They’re good players, we’re good players, and it just comes down to doing the basics and executing.”

Higgins and Chase combined for 12 catches on 13 targets for 149 yards. Neither of the Bengals’ two touchdowns in their 17-7 victory were through the air.

“We did good as a unit,” Flott said. “We just didn’t come out with the win.”

A victory this week will thrust the Giants back into the NFC East race, while a loss will drop them to 2-5. Divisional games always take on added importance, and the Eagles are arguably the Giants’ top rivals.

Smith played in only the first meeting with the Giants last season and caught four passes for 79 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown. He missed the Eagles’ Sept. 29 loss at Tampa Bay with a concussion, and in four games this year has 24 catches for 303 yards and two scores.

In two games in 2023 vs. the Giants, Brown caught seven passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. He played only 12 snaps in the season finale. A hamstring injury limited him to two games this season, the opener vs. Green Bay and last week against Cleveland. Not coincidentally, those are two of Philadelphia’s three victories. Brown gained more than 100 yards in each and has totaled 235 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions.

“Two elite receivers, two different receivers, with a good quarterback and a good running back,” Flott said. “Smith is more of a quicker, faster, leaner, run routes receiver. A.J. Brown, explosive dude, bigger body, catches the ball with strong hands. You got to play them different and understand your personnel.”