Storylines to follow in Week 5 matchup in Seattle

The Giants’ pass rush has gotten mixed results over the first four games of the season. In Weeks 1 and 4, the defense recorded just one sack in each contest while totaling 20 pressures across the two games. However, in the Week 2 matchup against the Commanders, the unit sacked quarterback Jayden Daniels five times while registering 17 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The numbers were even better in the Week 3 win over the Browns when the unit totaled eight sacks and a whopping 36 total pressures of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.

“I’d say there’s some good things,” Daboll said about the pass rush. “We have quite a bit more sacks at this time of the year than we did last year, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Those four guys are starting to gel in terms of pass rush games and communication, and that’s a work in progress. There’s been some good and there’s been some, obviously, things we can keep on working.”

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is off to another strong start. Smith leads the NFL in pass attempts (159), completions (115), and passing yards (1,182), while his 72.3 completion percentage ranks second. However, it hasn’t been all good for the veteran signal-caller, as he has thrown just four touchdown passes to go with four interceptions. Smith is coming off his busiest game of the season as the threw the ball 56 times against the Lions, completing 38 of those attempts for 395 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

“He’s playing at a high level,” Daboll said about the Seahawks quarterback. “He’s a veteran now. He’s done a really good job when you study the tape. Last year and this year, here to start out, obviously, he threw for a bunch of yards in a back and forth game there for a while. He’s got command. I know it’s a new offense with (Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator) Ryan (Grubb) there. It looks like he has command of what he’s doing. He has, I would say, very, very good skill players around and he gives those guys chances.”

It will be important for the pass rush to make Smith uncomfortable on Sunday. When given a clean pocket, Smith has completed over 80 percent of his passes for 885 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions for a 100.8 passer rating. However, when facing pressure, Smith’s numbers drop to a 52.2 completion percentage, 297 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, earning a 61.6 passer rating. The Seahawks have surrendered 11 sacks on the year, which is tied for the 12^th-most.

Giants cornerbacks Dru Phillips (calf) and Adoree’ Jackson (calf), who both missed last week’s game against the Cowboys, did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. It remains to be seen if they will be able to get back on the field in time for Sunday’s game in Seattle.

“They’ve made progress,” Daboll said about the two cornerbacks. “Hopefully, these next couple days we can see more progress out of them, so they’ll be ready to go. But I can’t say they will be. We’ve got to make sure we see it.”

Slowing down Seattle’s offense

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, while tight end Noah Fant has pulled in 11 receptions for 111 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.”