Three biggest storylines to watch in Giants' Week 2 game vs. Cardinals

The New York Giants travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday, aiming to rebound from their humbling 40-0 Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Here are three storylines to pay attention to for New York. 

Will the offensive line turn things around?

While there's plenty of blame to go around for Week 1's abysmal showing, the root of the problem lies in the trenches. Aside from All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, New York's offensive line struggled last season, allowing the fifth-most sacks in the NFL (49), and reached a new low in the 2023 opener. 

The unit surrendered seven sacks and 12 QB hits to the Dallas defense, which pressured Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones on 67% of his dropbacks, 13.6% more than any other passer in Week 1. The right side of the line is particularly concerning for New York. RT Evan Neal, the No. 7 pick in last year's draft, allowed eight pressures and one sack, while RG Mark Glowinski surrendered nine pressures and three sacks. 

Although Arizona seems like the favorite to finish with the worst record in the league this season, its defense shouldn't be underestimated. Last week, the Cardinals sacked Washington QB Sam Howell six times and returned a fumble for a touchdown. To make matters even more difficult for the Giants offensive line, Thomas is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury. 

LB Isaiah Simmons' homecoming 

Simmons, Arizona's first-round pick in 2020, makes his not-so-long-awaited return to the desert after being traded to New York for a 2024 seventh-round draft choice in August. The versatile defender played multiple positions for the Cardinals but had limited impact, recording 258 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks and four interceptions across three seasons. He switched to defensive back full-time once new Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon took over, but difficulties in coverage during the preseason led to him being traded.

In his Giants debut, Simmons didn't contribute much, playing only 15 snaps and making one tackle. However, the insurmountable deficit and the poor weather conditions led to several Giants seeing limited action, and DC Don "Wink" Martindale confirmed to reporters this week that Simmons is set to see an expanded role. 

"[Simmons' role is] just going to keep expanding," Martindale said, per Giants.com. "Like I said, he's a positionless player, which is a compliment to him. We can move him around and play him in different spots. Through attrition, there's going to be different spots that are open and each week, you put him in the best spot that you need him in to help us in.”  

A promising trend for QB Daniel Jones bodes well for the Giants

Jones' first game since signing his massive $160 million contract extension couldn't have been more disastrous. In addition to throwing for just 104 yards and two interceptions, Jones posted the worst single-game passer rating of his career (32.4). 

Fortunately, as Dan Salomone of Giants.com points out, Jones is at his best after dropping a game. Over his last nine games following a loss, dating back to November 2021, Jones has led New York to a 7-1-1 record. During that span, the 26-year-old completed 69.8% of his passes, threw nine touchdowns compared to zero interceptions, posted a 100.5 quarterback rating and added four scores on the ground. 

With New York listed as a four-point favorite against Arizona, Jones is well-positioned to maintain the trend and secure a much-needed win before the Giants travel to San Francisco for a Week 3 clash with the 49ers.