NFL
NY Giants vs Seattle Seahawks predictions: Our expert picks for NFL Week 5 game
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The Giants (1-3) head to the Pacific Northwest for the only time this season as they take on the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) in Week 5 on Sunday afternoon.
Big Blue is coming off a sluggish offensive performance where they couldn’t find the end zone, settling for five field goals in a 20-15 loss to the Cowboys last Thursday night.
The more concerning news for the Giants is the current unknown status of first round pick wide receiver Malik Nabers, who suffered a concussion late in the Week 4 defeat.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks — down multiple starters on defense, including former Giants Leonard Williams and Julian Love before and during the game — struggled to contain and keep up with the Lions in a 42-29 loss on Monday night in Detroit.
With Seattle having a depleted defensive unit, Lions QB Jared Goff set an NFL record by completing 18-of-18 passes for 292 passing yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
The Week 5 matchup will be the third straight season these two NFC teams meet in the regular season, with the Seahawks winning both prior games and outscoring the Giants, 51-16, in the process.
Our prognosticators throughout the season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Steve Edelson (columnist, APP.com), Vince Mercogliano (Rangers/NHL columnist, lohud.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com), and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).
Here are the standings for our staff members going into Week 5:
Art Stapleton, Steve Edelson and Vincent Mercogliano: 3-1
Chris Iseman and Dave Rivera: 2-2
Bert Bainbridge, Bob Jordan and Brian Marron: 1-3
Here are our staff predictions for the Giants vs. Seahawks in Week 5:
Art Stapleton
The pick: Seahawks 27, Giants 17
Here’s why: If the Giants are going to turn this season around, they’re going to have to win a game as underdogs, and clear ones at that. Geno Smith and the Seahawks have been Big Blue each of the past two seasons. Malik Nabers’ uncertain status in concussion protocol makes this challenge even more daunting. Can the Giants play a perfect game? It’s hard to buy in right now.
Vince Mercogliano
The pick: Seahawks 26, Giants 20
Here’s why: I was leaning toward an upset pick here, but I can’t will myself to do it with the uncertainty surrounding Malik Nabers. He’s quickly become the centerpiece of the Giants’ offense, and I don’t have much faith in them scoring enough points without him. A tough road environment will make it even more difficult, particularly now that the Seahawks have lead RB Kenneth Walker III back to complement an effective passing game.
Bert Bainbridge
The pick: Seahawks 24, Giants 10
Here’s why: The Giants offense leaves a lot left to be desired following a performance where they kicked five field goals after repeatedly failing to get in the end zone. On the flip side, the Seahawks defense was clearly shorthanded on Monday night, leading to the historic night from Goff. I expect Seattle to get a few of these key contributors back here, beating the G-Men for a third consecutive season and the seventh time in the last eight meetings.
Steve Edelson
The pick: Seahawks 27, Giants 14
Here’s why: The Seahawks have owned the Giants in recent years, and this will be an extension of that. The Giants’ offense simply isn’t productive enough to keep pace, especially with Malik Nabers’ status uncertain.
Chris Iseman
The pick: Seahawks 31, Giants 14
Here’s why: I have no confidence that the Giants can go across the country and beat Seattle on the road. That’s a tough to play, and Big Blue hasn’t exactly looked like a team that would be up to the task. Geno Smith’s resurgence has been one of the biggest stories in the NFL the last couple seasons, and he’ll lead the Seahawks to a win.
Dave Rivera
The pick: Seahawks 23, Giants 16
Here’s why: The Giants must get the ball into the end zone if they’re to have any chance of winning. They could have, and perhaps should have, defeated the Cowboys last week, but five goals and no touchdowns severely hurt that cause. And it’s never easy playing in Seattle.
Bob Jordan
The pick: Giants 20, Seahawks 16
Here’s why: Strictly a bet on Malik Nabers being fine.
Brian Marron
The pick: Seahawks 24, Giants 13
Here’s why: The uncertain status of Nabers, by far the most effective player on the Giants’ offense, is a major issue for Big Blue. If he is limited or simply doesn’t play, it’s hard to see New York keeping up with a Seahawks offense that is loaded with weapons and rolling to start the season.
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