Giants Host Titans in Week 3 With Betting Line Narrowing to 2.5 Points
The short version
- Giants (1-1) host Titans (0-2) Sunday at MetLife Stadium; line moved from -6 to -2.5
- Cam Ward has improved in Year 2 under Brian Daboll but wind and rain could hurt him
- Several ex-Giants are on Tennessee's roster; Wan'Dale Robinson has been the most impactful
- Titans offense has struggled through two games amid slow installation of Daboll's scheme
- Prediction from Titans Wire's Serena Burks: Giants win 23-20
Tennessee visits MetLife Stadium on Sunday as questions about Cam Ward's development, Brian Daboll's offense, and Tony Pollard's health shape the matchup.
The New York Giants (1-1) welcome the Tennessee Titans (0-2) to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for a Week 3 meeting on Sunday afternoon. New York opened the week as a 6-point home favorite, but the line has moved against the Giants, who were listed at -2.5 as the game approached.
Quarterback Cam Ward has taken a step forward in his second season, according to Titans Wire senior writer Serena Burks, whose assessment was published ahead of the game. Burks said Ward's decision-making has improved, he is avoiding sacks and turnovers, and the influence of head coach Brian Daboll is showing in his play. She noted that Ward has more weapons around him this year and looks like a better quarterback overall, though areas of his game still need work.
Weather could be a factor for Ward, who spent two college seasons at Washington State but has otherwise lived mostly in warm-weather states. Cool temperatures have historically not been an issue for him, but Burks said the wind and rain expected this weekend could pose a problem. She predicted that Ward, playing on the road in a hostile environment, will turn the ball over at least once and probably absorb a sack or two.
Tennessee's sideline features several former Giants players and coaches who followed Daboll to Nashville, with mixed early returns. Cornerback Cor'Dale Flott has been uninspiring, recording three tackles against the Jets, missing last week's game, and listed as questionable this week. Tight end Daniel Bellinger has played well while sharing snaps with Gunnar Helm, and wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson has arguably been the most impactful addition, providing reliable hands, solid route running, and an outlet for Ward. Center Austin Schlottmann has been serviceable with room to improve, Burks said.
Daboll himself remains the biggest question mark. While Ward's development has clearly improved under his guidance, Burks described the installation of his offensive scheme as slow and clunky. Through two games, the Titans have struggled to move the ball down the field, and it remains unclear whether the issue is personnel, scheme installation, or something else.
The offensive line has struggled as a unit, which Burks attributed more to talent than coaching. J.C. Latham continues to have penalty problems, Dan Moore Jr. is not a strong left tackle, and Schlottmann has had his moments. Guards Fernando Carmona and Peter Skoronski have been solid, which has helped Ward considerably. Burks said the offense has avoided blown plays and appears to be on the same page, an improvement over last season under Brian Callahan, but the play-calling must improve for the unit to generate momentum.
One underappreciated matchup to watch, according to Burks, is running back Tony Pollard against the Giants' run defense. Most of the attention has gone to Cam Skattebo, Jeffery Simmons, and the weaknesses in both teams' secondaries, but Pollard is trending toward playing despite ankle soreness. Burks noted he has a history of limited practice participation during the week while still carrying a heavy workload on game days, and if Tyjae Spears cannot play, the ground game will fall almost entirely on Pollard, who has four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
As for a prediction, Burks acknowledged the difficulty of calling the game. She believes the Giants would win comfortably if quarterback Jaxson Dart and pass rusher Brian Burns were available, but with Jameis Winston under center, she expects Tennessee to keep it close. Her call: a 23-20 Giants victory.
Tennessee visits New York on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM EDT at MetLife Stadium. The game airs on CBS.
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