Washington Football Team: Interviewing a New York Giants expert before Week 6

Questions 3-5: Saquon Barkley, Chase Young, and a score prediction

3. The Giants are without Saquon Barkley. How much has that impacted this team and do you expect the running game to find any success against Washington?

DF: Saquon Barkley’s injury was initially devastating to this offense. His impact on and off the field lifted all 53 guys in the locker room. Saquon couldn’t find any success in his limited two-game appearance in 2020 but the offense has improved its run game in recent weeks.

The Giants picked up Devonta Freeman who has greatly helped stabilize the running back situation for NY. Big Blue is coming off its two best rushing performances of the season with 89 yards and a touchdown this past week and 136 yards against the LA Rams. Washington’s run defense has let up the 9th-most rushing yards in the NFL. I expect the Giants to have their usual struggles with the run with some signs of rhythm and energy from Devonta Freeman.

4. If you could take any player off Washington’s roster and add him to the Giants, which player would you add and why him?

DF: For me, it has to be Chase Young. Seeing the Giants beat Washington in a meaningless game last December was very frustrating as it was obvious that the Chase Young sweepstakes had been over. It was even worse that Washington directly jumped us with the loss.

Chase was a can’t-miss prospect who is a “blue goose” pass rusher as Giants GM Dave Gettleman refers to blue-chip prospects. Young is both an athletic freak and a masterful technician who can beat any tackle with speed or power off the edge.

He is a gifted player with a freakish body you can only dream of for a prototypical edge rusher. Young will be a problem for years to come and it will come directly at NY’s expense and the Chase Young-Andrew Thomas matchup will be one to watch for years to come hopefully.

5. How will this game go? Who wins the contest and why?

DF: Until the Giants prove they can win, it’s very hard to justify or expect them to win a game. Optimistically, Washington is quite frankly the only team in the whole league that NY has had any type of recent or consistent success against in the last few years.

Vegas likes Big Blue by a field goal and I am dangerously picking the Giants to be able to cover that and grind out their first win in 2020 in fashion at Metlife Stadium. Expect the unexpected Sunday from both teams. The Giants win a close one, 24-17.

Thanks to Danny for answering all our questions, and make sure to check out his work over at GMen HQ for more insight on Washington’s Week 6 opponent!