Game Preview: Giants host Saints in Week 14

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Drew Lock’s last game as a home team starting quarterback was one of the highlights of his six-year NFL career.

With a national audience watching on Monday night, Dec. 18, 2023, Lock was under center for a Seattle Seahawks team that trailed the Philadelphia Eagles entering the fourth quarter, 17-10.

The Seahawks kicked a field goal to narrow their deficit and after a Philadelphia punt, Lock led the offense on a 10-play, 92-yard drive in the final two minutes of the game, capping it with a perfect throw to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the 29-yard game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds remaining in a 20-17 Seattle victory.

“That was a lot of fun,” Lock said after the game. “I mean, it was more than fun. I can’t find the right word for it right now. It was a blast. One of those classic NFL games.”

It was also the last game he played for the Seahawks. Geno Smith returned as the starter and Lock was back on the sideline for the season’s final three games. In the offseason, he signed a one-year contract to be the Giants’ backup quarterback.

After Daniel Jones’ release and Tommy DeVito’s forearm injury, Lock made his first Giants start on Thanksgiving Day, in Dallas on a short week with walk-throughs instead of full-scale practices. The Giants lost, 27-20.

Tomorrow, after a regular work week, Lock will start for the first time in MetLife Stadium against the New Orleans Saints.

“It feels great,” Lock said Friday. “Anytime you get to go out there and rep what you’re about to go do in a game, it makes you feel comfortable. Being able to get the time down with these guys, practicing in the (cold and windy) weather a little bit, you feel like you’re ready for just about anything. And that gives you confidence going in.”

Lock’s start tomorrow will be the 25^th in his career, including 21 with the Denver Broncos, who selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and two with the Seahawks. Eleven of his starts have been for the home team, but he expects his sense of excitement to intensify tomorrow in MetLife.

“It’s always a big deal,” he said. “Anytime you get to start a game in this league, you take it to heart and give everything you got into it throughout the week and on Sunday. To be able to do it here in New York makes it a little more special, too.”

Lock will face a Saints defense that ranks 30^th in the league by allowing 385.1 yards a game, and 19^th in points given up per game (23.4). But he looks beyond the numbers and instead points to a unit that has standout players at all three levels in 14-year defensive end Cameron Jordan,

linebacker Demario Davis and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

“The D-line is fantastic,” Lock said. “Those backers fly and know how to hit. I played against Tyrann three or four times when he was in Kansas City, and I was in Denver. Special player, been around a long time, knows concepts when they’re coming at him and does a good job on the quarterback’s eyes. Just gotta be smart with him back there and the two corners (Alonte Taylor and rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry) as well, being able to press and run. It’s a good defense. We have to come out and play our A game to get stuff done.”

Lock might not know the identity of some of his supporting cast until gametime. One tackle (Jermaine Eluemunor) is doubtful with a quad injury, while two others – Evan Neal (hip) and Chris Hubbard (knee) are questionable. Record-setting rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is questionable with a hip pointer.

But Lock won’t dwell on something he can’t control.

“It’s the next man up mentality,” Lock said. “The next guy comes into play. Same thing at the quarterback position, same thing at the tackles, same thing with the tight end spot with Theo (Johnson) down (after undergoing foot surgery).

“That’s the NFL. You gotta be ready to go when your opportunity comes. All of us have been practicing this week, hoping to be ready on Sunday.”