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Week 3 preview: Texans at Giants
Houston Texans (2-0) at New York Giants (0-2)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell
*Keys to the game: Ryan Fitzpatrick and Eli Manning have far different NFL resumes, the former a 10-year journeyman while the latter is a two-time Super Bowl MVP. Still, they entered the season with near equal reputations for turning the ball over frequently.
Fitzpatrick has avoided turnovers during the Texans’ 2-0 start for three reasons: his offensive line that rarely allows him to be touched, RB Arian Foster leads the NFL with 55 carries and head coach Bill O’Brien emphasizes high-percentage passes between the numbers or short routes to the
flat. The formula will not change unless the Giants can build a lead and force the Texans to change their approach.
That’s a difficult task with Manning throwing four interceptions through two games. His struggles begin with poor offensive line play and the league’s 29th-ranked ground game. Manning is too often backed into the long passing downs in which he is prone to forcing the ball into coverage — and to a receiving corps minus recognizable names outside of Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle.
*Matchup to watch – Texans RB Arian Foster vs. Giants LB Jameel McClain: McClain is likely to slide from the strong side to the middle if Jon Beason (foot) is sidelined. Mark Herzlich is another option, and whoever is in the middle faces the tall order of containing Foster between the tackles.
*Player spotlight – Giants WR Preston Parker: The former Florida State star will get the first opportunity at replacing No. 3 receiver Jerrel Jernigan (IR/foot). To put the Giants’ lack of depth in perspective, Parker was out of the NFL last season and has one catch for 29 yards this season. Rookie Corey Washington will also see increased snaps with 2014 first-rounder Odell Beckham (hamstring) out again.
*Fast facts: The Texans are 0-2 for the fifth consecutive season, although they lost their final 14 games in 2013. … The Giants are averaging 2.7 yards per carry and have a minus-6 turnover ratio.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Texans’ schedule is shaping up very well for a strong run through the first half of the season. By that time we still may not have a true gauge on this team, but we do know Houston has the defense to continue Eli Manning’s woes and create short fields for Ryan Fitzpatrick to navigate.
*Our pick: Texans 23-20
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