Giants.com's Michael Eisen answers your questions. Here is today's edition of The Mailbag:
Which aspect of Jason Pierre-Paul's game will be most difficult to replace?
The attention he receives from opposing offenses. Because JPP is so strong against both the run and pass, teams frequently assign an extra player to block him or try to slow him down. They might have a tight end and tackle double team him on a run, or assign a back to chip him when he's pass-rushing. That takes away a player who might hit another Giants defender. The players who replace Pierre-Paul must prove they can win a one-on-one situation before they command an additional blocker. Until they do, that extra player will help elsewhere – probably wherever Olivier Vernon is lined up.
When and if it happens, how would Shane Vereen's return most impact the Giants offense?
On third down. That down has not been kind to the Giants this season. They ranked 27th in the NFL, converting only 35.1% of their opportunities (53 of 151). Vereen is an outstanding third down back who can catch the ball and turn a short pass into a long gain, or take a handoff or pitch and step through a defense. The Giants need a player of Vereen's abilities to improve their third down conversion percentage.
Would you say Eli Manning's consecutive game's streak is the most impressive accomplishment of his career?
No, I wouldn't. It is certainly very impressive, and Manning should be admired for it, but it is a product of good health – and in football, that takes some luck. I think his most impressive achievement is winning two Super Bowls. Hundreds of quarterbacks have played in the NFL in the Super Bowl era. Only 31 have won a Super Bowl. Manning is one of them. Only 20 have won a Super Bowl without losing one. Manning is one of them. Only 12 have won at least two Super Bowls. Manning is one of them. The only two quarterbacks in history with longer consecutive starts streaks than Manning's 195 (before Dallas) are Brett Favre (297) and Peyton Manning (208). Favre won just one Super Bowl. Peyton Manning won two, but lost one. Eli's 2-0 record in Super Bowls tops starting every game since Nov. 21, 2004.
These five players could make a key impact in Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys
WR VICTOR CRUZAfter not having a pass thrown his way in Pittsburgh, Victor Cruz and coach Ben McAdoo discussed getting him more involved in the offense in the final quarter of the season. That starts on Sunday with the Cowboys, against whom Cruz caught the game-winning touchdown in Week 1.
CB ELI APPLEWith all the attention on Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott, Cowboys wide receivers Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley have been somewhat overlooked this week. But that's not the case in the cornerbacks room that includes rookie Eli Apple, who recorded his first career interception last week.
QB ELI MANNINGFollowing back-to-back games under 200 yards, Eli Manning is looking to bounce back against a familiar rival. In the season opener against Dallas, Manning completed 67.9 percent of his passes with a passer rating of 110.3.
DT DAMON HARRISONThe NFL's leading rusher comes to town this week, and Damon Harrison anchors a run defense that ranks fifth in yards per game (91.4) and third in yards per carry (3.6).
DE ROMEO OKWARA With Jason Pierre-Paul sidelined, undrafted rookie Romeo Okwara is one of the next men up to play opposite Olivier Vernon. Okwara has played 20.8 percent of the defensive snaps this season and has 12 tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit, and one pass defensed.
