Trying to contain Mahomes

For the third consecutive week, the Giants defense will face off against a top quarterback. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has already accomplished a list of accolades that include two league MVPs and three Super Bowl championships, all of which he was named the MVP.

Through the first two games of the season, Mahomes has completed just 58.8 percent of his passes for 445 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. However, he’s made up for it with his production in the run game with 123 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. The Giants know the challenge that lies ahead this Sunday night.

“You talk about their offense, it starts with Patrick Mahomes, who is one of the best to ever do it,” Daboll told the media Wednesday. “He’s as impressive as a quarterback as you evaluate and watch, both physically and mentally. Loose plays, he’s made a lot of plays these first two games with his legs, I’d say particularly on third down. But just an unbelievable awareness, instinct to play this position. He’s done it at a high level and he’s certainly doing it now.”

When the Giants take the field at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, they will be playing shorthanded at one position in particular. Linebacker Micah McFadden suffered a foot injury in Week 1 which resulted in him being placed on injured reserve, and a few days later at practice, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles suffered a calf injury that forced him to miss the game in Dallas. This past Sunday, Darius Muasau left the game with a concussion and Chris Board departed with a chest injury. Flannigan-Fowles and Muasau both did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, while Board was placed on injured reserve.

The rash of injuries at linebacker led to the Giants making several roster moves this week. Swayze Bozeman was signed to the active roster while Curtis Jacobs and long-time veteran Neville Hewitt were both signed to the practice squad.

Scouting the rest of the Chiefs

Since Mahomes took over as the Chiefs starting quarterback at the start of the 2018 campaign, tight end Travis Kelce has been his favorite target. The two have had perhaps the greatest on-field connection between a quarterback and a tight end in recent memory, and while Kelce is approaching his 36th birthday, we have seen flashes of that great chemistry this season. The tight end comes into this game with six receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown through two weeks, but will likely be a focal point of the Chiefs’ gameplan this weekend. Daboll referred to Kelce as a “go-to player” for Mahomes in critical situations.

“One of the best to do it at tight end as well,” the head coach said.

The Kansas City defense, led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, has talented players at all three levels of their defense. While the Chiefs offense starts with Mahomes, the same goes for lineman Chris Jones on the defense. Jones has been named an All-Pro in each of the last five seasons, including three consecutive years earning first-team All-Pro honors. In last week’s game against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, Jones registered two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit.

While Jones might garner the most attention up front, the Kansas City defense has plenty of difference-makers behind him, as well.

“Defensively, have competed against Spags a number of times,” Daboll said. “Have a lot of respect for him and the things that he does defensively and he has some good players that are with him, starting with Chris Jones inside. He plays multiple positions, he’s a tough player to block. (Cornerback) Trent McDuffie, I think, is a very good defensive back. Does a good job of tackling, covering, playing the deep ball. (Linebacker Nick) Bolton and (defensive end George) Karlaftis, two good players that are hard to account for, and they’re kind of a spin-the-dial defense, if you will. Play a number of fronts, a number of coverages and have a number of pressures.”