10 things to look out for as the Giants take on the Bears Sunday at MetLife Stadium:
1. NO TRAP GAME
With his team coming off four straight wins, Ben McAdoo was asked this week how to avoid the record of the Giants' next two opponents from creeping into his players' minds. He pointed to the fieldhouse windows at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center and said to throw them out there.
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The Giants wrap up a three-game homestand on Sunday (1 p.m. ET) with a visit from the 2-7 Bears, who are off to their worst start since 2002. Big Blue will then hit the road to face the Cleveland Browns, the last remaining team without a victory.
"There's no such a thing as a trap game," the first-year head coach said. "We have to be ready to play each and every week in this league. Especially this week, coming off of an emotional game on Monday night, we have to make sure we're dialed in."
2. STATE OF THE NFC EAST
If the season ended today, the NFC East would send three teams onto the postseason. The Cowboys lead the conference at 8-1, while the Giants (6-3) and Redskins (5-3-1) currently occupy the two Wild Card spots. The Eagles are right behind at 5-4, rounding out the only division with all four teams above .500. In Week 11, Dallas hosts Baltimore (5-4); Washington has Green Bay (4-5); and Philadelphia is at Seattle (6-2-1). Meanwhile, the Giants look for their first five-game winning streak in the regular season since 2010.
3. GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Out: G Justin Pugh (knee), G Brett Jones (calf)
Questionable: RB Orleans Darkwa (lower leg), G Adam Gettis (calf)
Not appearing on the report is wide receiver Victor Cruz, who missed last week's game because of an ankle injury that he suffered against the Ravens. While limited this week in practice, he is good to go on Sunday. The same goes for return specialist Dwayne Harris, who left the Monday night game because of a toe injury.
4. BEARS INJURY REPORT
Doubtful: DB Deiondre' Hall (ankle), OL Bobby Massie (concussion), DL Mitch Unrein (back)
Questionable: DB Bryce Callahan (hamstring), DL Eddie Goldman (ankle), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), DB Tracy Porter (knee), WR Eddie Royal (toe), OL Josh Sitton (ankle), WR Marquess Wilson (foot), LB Willie Young (ankle)
5. NEWHOUSE SHORES UP O-LINE
From tackle to guard to an extra offensive lineman/tight end, Marshall Newhouse has done it all for the Giants in the past couple weeks. After missing five games with a calf injury, the veteran returned after the bye week in a limited role but was pressed into service at left guard when Jones went down last week. Jones was already replacing Pugh, so Newhouse has to be ready to go again on Sunday.
6. CHICAGO DOWN TWO PRO BOWLERS
The NFL suspended Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery this week for four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. The suspension began immediately for the former Pro Bowler, who has 40 receptions for 630 yards and a touchdown this season. His average of 15.8 yards per catch is tied for 13th in the NFL. Meanwhile, Chicago also placed two starters on injured reserve this week: right guard Kyle Long, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and nose tackle Will Sutton. They both suffered ankle injuries in last Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
7. COLLINS KEEPS GOING
Entering Week 11, second-year safety Landon Collins is the only player in the NFL with at least four interceptions and three sacks and the first safety with those numbers in his team's first nine games since Green Bay's LeRoy Butler in 1996. Earlier in the season, he also became the first safety to win player of the week awards in consecutive games since Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu in 2010 when he went on to be named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.
8. SACKING THE BEARS
Jay Cutler would like to forget the Bears' last trip to MetLife Stadium in 2010. The Giants sacked the veteran quarterback nine times in the first half of a 17-3 victory and notched a 10th takedown of his backup, Todd Collins. This season, the Giants are just heating up in that department. After having four sacks in the first five games, the defense has 10 in the last four outings, including one from Olivier Vernon in back-to-back weeks.
9. MORE TO COME FROM GROUND GAME?
Running backs coach Craig Johnson lit a fire under Rashad Jennings last week, and it worked. Jennings ran with an edge on his way to a season-high 87 yards, 38 of which came in crunch time that allowed the Giants to run out the clock. Rookie Paul Perkins also chipped in 31 yards on nine carries as the team rushed for a season-high 122 yards.
10. TALE OF THE TAPE
Offensively, the Bears are 16th in total yards per game (347.3), 19th in passing (247.9), 21st in rushing (99.4) and 31st in scoring (15.7 points). After missing five games because of a right thumb injury, Cutler returned in Week 8 and is completing 59.8 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and four interceptions in four games. Jordan Howard leads the team in rushing and is 11th in the league with 605 yards. Tight end Zach Miller is first on the Bears with 44 receptions.
Defensively, Chicago is 11th in yards (341.2), 12th against the pass (242.8), 11th against the run (98.4) and 19th in points allowed (23.9). Vic Fangio's defense is also tied for eighth with 24 sacks, led by Willie Young (6.5), rookie Leonard Floyd (5.0) and Akiem Hicks (4.0). Linebacker Jerrell Freeman is tied for seventh in the league with 81 tackles. The Bears have eight takeaways and a minus-five turnover differential.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Bears on Sunday
TE JERELL ADAMSWith his first career touchdown last week, the Giants became the only team in the NFL to boast three rookies with a touchdown reception this season (Sterling Shepard and Roger Lewis are the others).
CB ELI APPLEThe rookie first-round pick bounced back with a strong game against Cincinnati, which mustered only 12 first downs and 186 passing yards.
RB RASHAD JENNINGSThe Giants rushed for a season-high 122 yards last week, 87 of which came from Jennings. The veteran had a crucial 25-yard run coming out of the two-minute warning to help the team seal the victory.
SAFETY LANDON COLLINSEntering Week 11, Collins is only player in the NFL with at least four interceptions and three sacks. He is also the first safety with those numbers in his team's first nine games since Green Bay's LeRoy Butler in 1996.
OL MARSHALL NEWHOUSEOn Monday night, injuries to the Giants' offensive line resulted in Newhouse in at left guard. The Giants went on to rush for a season-high 122 yards and held the ball for the final 3:01.
