How the Giants can start 2-0

Here are the keys to making it “just” two wins to start the season:

The Giants played without their top two edge defenders in Week 1, but Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximines more than held their own in place of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. Ward had six tackles, but his real impact won’t be found in a box score. The off-season addition set the edge all day in Nashville, helping to limit Derrick Henry to 3.9 yards per carry. Ward was named the team’s defensive player of the week for his effort.

“And that was unanimous,” defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said. “So, he’s a physical, tough guy that is the character of what you’re looking for as a defensive player. He sets the pace, especially in the run game on setting the edges. He took it personal that game, and that’s what has made him who he is. And wherever I’m at, I hope I have Jihad Ward with me. Ox (Ximines), as I call him, has done nothing but worked hard and kept earning trust and kept earning more and more playing time throughout the spring all the way through training camp and the preseason. And I think he did a great job for us in there. He’s making plays and doing things the right way, and that’s why he’s where he’s at.”

Now the Giants, who could get at least Thibodeaux back for Sunday, are seelomg a repeat performance against Christian McCaffrey, a different type of running back but just as dangerous as Henry.

“I think the keys that we talked about prior to the Tennessee game was we set edges and we play with knockback up front, and we got everybody to the ball,” Martindale said. “And it’s the same thing playing Christian McCaffery. It’s crazy how this league is right now, and I know how you fantasy football players love it. But my goodness, I compared Derrick Henry to Jim Brown. I knew exactly what I was doing. This guy’s Barry Sanders. I mean, it’s unbelievable; and I know I’m going all old school, but I’m old. So, that’s where I’m at with it. This guy’s unbelievable.”

Saquon Barkley, who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after leading all NFL players with 164 rushing yards and 194 yards from scrimmage, faced a light box (six or fewer defenders) on 72.2 pct of rushes against the Titans. That was the highest rate in any game in his career, according to Next Gen Stats, as Barkley averaged 11.5 yards per rush vs. a light box.

Meanwhile, the Panthers defense lined up with six or fewer defenders in the box on just 20.5 percent of run plays, the third-lowest rate of any team in Week 1. If…