After a scary-slow start to the 2014 season, the New York Giants are picking up the pace after coming off of two solid wins in back-to-back weeks. Eli Manning and the wide receivers are finally looking in-sync with one another and the ground game is keeping things balanced and moving. However, their two-headed rushing attack could be down to just one for the next few weeks as Rashad Jennings is expected to miss time.
The Giants have several big games coming up including an NFC East showdown with the Philadelphia Ealges. Losing Jennings is certainly a blow to the offense, but that is the reality in New York. Head coach Tom Coughlin announced that Jennings suffered a sprained MCL in the win over the Atlanta Falcons and will miss several weeks of the season. The running back is currently fourth in the league with 369 yards off 91 carries.
"We're all hoping this young man is a fast healer with the way he conditions himself and takes care of himself," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, via ESPN.com. "But we'll see."
In his place, rookie Andre Williams will get the start. The running back was drafted in the fourth round out of Boston College after leading the NCAA in rushing yards last season. He might be inexperienced, but he has proven to have solid talent. He replaced Jennings in the third quarter and still put up 65 yards and a touchdown. Williams notes that he has a lot to improve on and not a lot of time to do it considering the Giants face the Eagles and then the Dallas Cowboys in the next two weeks. Jennings is confident the rookie manages just fine.
"We've got the utmost confidence in Andre, and in Peyton as well, and I'm sure [Michael Cox] will get a chance to get bumped up," Jennings said. "Andre and I, we had a long talk. He's kind of been my little brother throughout this whole process. So I'm giving him as many weapons as possible mentally to go with what he has physically."
The run game has certainly helped Manning over these past few weeks. Both Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle have looked much better in the last few games as Odell Beckham Jr returned from injury and immediately scored a touchdown in his first game of his NFL career. The Giants should be able to handle the absence of Jennings and fantasy owners would be wise to pick up Williams as quickly as possible.
