Chicago Bears: 3 things we learned about the Giants in Week 1

No. 1: There are significant holes in the Giants’ offensive line

Would it be a Week One overreaction to suggest that someone should consider writing “Get Well Soon” cards for the New York Giants? Maybe an e-mail?

One week after getting buzz sawed by edge rushers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, they’ll travel to Chicago to face Khalil Mack and Co. (then, they’ll Nick Bosa, Aaron Donald, DeMarcus Lawrence, Chase Young, and Brandon Graham in subsequent weeks). On paper, this has the makings of Chicago’s first dominant defensive performance of 2020.

New York’s star running back Saquon Barkley made history in Week 1, but not in a good way. He produced 6 yards on 15 carries. That is absolutely not a typo. The season opener showed that the Giants were both schematically flawed, and thoroughly outplayed.

They provided us with a pick-your-poison of negative stats; it took Barkley 14 carries to get to positive net yards, and he averaged -0.7 yards before contact.

The Giants’ alignments couldn’t have helped. There was a moment yesterday where they lined tight end Evan Engram opposite Watt. Mack likely won’t get that luxury in Week 2, but there should certainly be chances for a Defensive Player of the Year-type performance.

Chicago’s pass rush didn’t come close to setting the standard in Week 1. According to Football Reference, they sent eight blitzes at Matthew Stafford, and were the only team to play on Sunday that didn’t force a hurried throw. Though, they were elite among teams in knockdowns.

Sticking to what we know about the Giants, Daniel Jones was under pressure on 26 of his 41 dropbacks during the season opener. He turned in a strong performance.

Last season, the Bears-Giants game represented a rejuvenation of sorts. For Mack, it was his best game in the weeks leading up to it. This go-round, it could be the momentum booster needed for something bigger.