EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – In his four seasons with the Giants, Julian Love has been the team's most versatile defensive player. He has lined up at safety, cornerback and even linebacker and performed at a high level at every one of them.
Love will add another duty tomorrow, when the 6-2 Giants host the 1-6-1 Houston Texans: play-caller.
Of course, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale calls the pressures and coverages deployed on each play. But with Xavier McKinney sidelined for at least four games after fracturing fingers on his left hand in an off-road accident in Cabo San Lucas last week, Love's helmet has been affixed with a green dot, signaling he will relay Martindale's calls to the players on the field.
"He's perfect for the job, because of who he is and how he plays," Martindale said. "He's even keeled. Nothing's too big for him. He's played all over the place. He's played dime. He's played mike. He's playing safety right now. When Dane (Belton) was out, we played him down there in the box. He knows the package inside and out. Don't expect to miss a beat with him wearing the green dot."
Nor does Love, who has experience calling the defensive plays in practice.
"I've had the mic since OTAs," he said. "He (McKinney) has it on game day. I feel comfortable relaying the plays. it's just communicating. It should be fun."
And after the snap?
"From a role perspective, it doesn't change too much," Love said. "We have some guys stepping up to fill in for his role and I'll continue to do what I've been doing."
Love's skill, versatility and attitude exemplify what the Giants want in everyone who wears their uniform.
"It's really valuable to have a smart, tough, dependable football player – which Dabs (head coach Brian Daboll) has talked about since day one," Martindale said. "I have nothing but confidence in him that he's going to be successful because he's had a great week in practice."
Rookie Dane Belton is expected to be McKinney's primary replacement.
"He's been doing a great job of learning and growing up to this point in the season," Love said. "This will be an exciting time for him to show what he's about in a bigger capacity."
The same could be said about Love, a seemingly strange statement to make about a player who has participated in 100% of the defensive snaps in seven of the first eight games. He suffered a concussion against Chicago on Oct. 2 and was limited to 19 plays.
Love and McKinney gave the Giants playmaking, reliability, and leadership in the back of the defense. Both players are team captains. They are first and fourth on the team in tackles with 54 and 37, respectively. Each has one sack. The two safeties teamed up to create one of the Giants' most important takeaways of the season in Jacksonville, where McKinney forced a Travis Etienne fumble at the Giants' five-yard line that was recovered by Love in the end zone. Love has the team's only interception, a huge fourth-quarter pick of a Lamar Jackson pass against Baltimore on Oct. 16 that set up Saquon Barkley's game-winning touchdown.
"We had a good system," Love said his partnership with McKinney. "He's communicating the plays and I'm communicating everything else for the defense. Now it's on other guys to raise their level of communication and get that line flowing, because it's smooth with Xavier and me; we're on a very personal level with the way we can communicate openly. It's going to take some other guys to step up, but I feel comfortable in my role."
But Love concedes it will be different for the entire defense without his running mate on the back line.
"He's a rising star in this league," Love said. It's tough to replace. He's a guy who's been holding down the deep part of the field for us. I think the emphasis has to be on guys just to not let it feel like there's such a big hole. That's going to take, honestly, a community of guys right now to step up and fill the roles that he's been able to play this season and past year."
This is a challenging week for the Giants not to have McKinney. Although Houston's offense is ranked 26th in the NFL overall and 29th in passing yards per game (188.6), the Texans are expected to have their best wide receivers, Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, available tomorrow. Both were inactive when Houston lost to NFC East frontrunner Philadelphia last week. They have combined for 50 catches and 659 yards, though just one touchdown.
Cooks (wrist) and Collins (groin) are both listed as questionable.
"My assumption is they will play, regardless of what may come on (injury) reports," cornerback Adoree' Jackson said. "You saw two weeks ago, they said with (Seattle wide receivers Tyler) Lockett and (DK) Metcalf weren't going to play, and they did. We're preparing like Collins and Cooks are playing. If they don't, then you just play off that."
Jackson has faced Cooks in the past, including twice two years ago in his final season with the Tennessee Titans.
"Those guys are game changing type of players," Jackson said. "I rate him a dominate receiver – a guy that gets a thousand yards pretty much every year (six times in his first eight seasons). The two times he didn't, he was injured. He's very effective, very productive. A guy that catches the ball short, deep, and intermediate. And he's dangerous with the ball in his hands."
Jackson, Love and the rest of the Giants' secondary will try to keep him from catching it.
Re-live the season with the best photos from the Giants' 2022 playoff campaign.
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Jones (8)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Richie James (80) Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darius Slayton (86)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Adoree' Jackson Dane Belton
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) catches a 2 point conversion during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Xavier McKinney (29)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Saquon Barkley (26) Matt Breida (31) Nick Gates (65)
Carter Coughlin (52)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Adoree' Jackson (22)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Sterling Shepard
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Landon Collins (21)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Bellinger David Sills V
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley Mark Glowinski Daniel Bellinger
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Graham Gano (9), Casey Kreiter (58)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Jihad Ward (55)
Julian Love (20)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30), Adoree' Jackson (22), Tony Jefferson (36), Julian Love (20), Tomon Fox (49)
Daniel Jones (8)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Bellinger (82), Kenny Golladay (19)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Dane Belton (24)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Darnay Holmes Julian Love Dane Belton
Ryder Anderson, Dane Belton (24), Leonard Williams (99), Tomon Fox (49), Dexter Lawrence (97), Jaylon Smith (54)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Jaylon Smith (54), Dane Belton (24), Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20), Leonard Williams (99), Fabian Moreau (37), Nick McCloud (44), Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley
Xavier McKinney (29)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Saquon Barkley
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97), D.J. Davidson (98)
Richie James (80)
Nick Williams (93)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Ben Bredeson (68), Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Julian Love (20)
Adoree' Jackson (22), Aaron Robinson (33), Nick Williams (93), Tae Crowder (48), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Dexter Lawrence (97), Justin Ellis (71)
Micah McFadden (41), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tanner Hudson (88), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
David Sills V (13), Daniel Bellinger (82), Tanner Hudson (88)
Saquon Barkley (26), Sterling Shepard (3)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26), Matt Breida (31)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Sterling Shepard (3)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick Williams (93), Oshane Ximines (53), Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick Williams (93), Oshane Ximines (53), Julian Love (20)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Julian Love (20), Cor'Dale Flott (28)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Jon Feliciano (76)
Richie James (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick McCloud (44), Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Neal (73)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Gary Brightwell (23), Matt Breida (31)
Darius Slayton (86)
Evan Neal (73)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Tae Crowder (48)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Darnay Holmes (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Dane Belton (24), Jihad Ward (55)
Jihad Ward (55)
Justin Ellis (71)
Jaylon Smith (54), Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20)
Chris Myarick (85), Chris Myarick (85), Oshane Ximines (53), Cam Brown (47), Gary Brightwell (23)
Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24). Julian Love (20), Fabian Moreau (37)
Jihad Ward (55), Tae Crowder (48), Micah McFadden (41)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jon Feliciano (76), Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Chris Myarick (85), David Sills V (13)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Carter Coughlin (52), Jason Pinnock (27), Cam Brown (47), Jamie Gillan (6)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Julian Love (20), Micah McFadden (41)
Jihad Ward (55), Henry Mondeaux (96)
Jihad Ward (55), D.J. Davidson (98)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Jihad Ward (55)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20), Jihad Ward (55)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Micah McFadden (41), Dane Belton (24), Julian Love (20)
Rodney Hampton during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Harry Carson and Leonard Marshall during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Samantha Morris gets emotional with her dad Joe Morris during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Kyle Rote Jr during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Rodney Hampton during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Rodney Hampton gets a hand shake from his son during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Otis Anderson walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Ronnie Barnes receives his ring of honor jacket from Brad Daluiso during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Otis Anderson walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Rodney Hampton walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Leonard Marshall walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Julian Love (20)
Matt Breida (31)
Ronnie Bones walks the blue carpet to receive his Ring of Honor jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Kyle Rote Jr. walks up to receive his fathers Ring of Honor Jacket during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Julian Love (20)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Evan Neal (73)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Dane Belton (24), Xavier McKinney, Tae Crowder (48)
Nick Williams (93)
Daniel Jones (8)
ryder anderson
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Ben Bredeson (68)
Justin Ellis (71), Dexter Lawrence (97)
Leonard Williams (99)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Bob Papa speaks during the ring of honor ceremony during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
David Sills V (13), Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Leonard Williams (99), Xavier McKinney (29), Jaylon Smith (54)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Saquon Barkley (26), Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal during the first half an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Wan'Dale Robinson
Fabian Moreau (37)
David Sills V (13)
Adoree' Jackson, Leonard Williams (99), Landon Collins (21)
Adoree' Jackson, Dane Belton (24)
Daniel Jones (8), Andrew Thomas (78)
Saquon Barkley (26), Matt Breida (31)
Julian Love (20), Darnay Holmes (30)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Darnay Holmes (30), Tae Crowder (48), Xavier McKinney (29), Nick Williams (93)
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Mark Glowinski (64), Tyre Phillips (79), Jon Feliciano (76), Andrew Thomas (78)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8), Casey Kreiter (58), Cam Brown (47), Graham Gano (9)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Nick Williams (93), Jihad Ward (55), Adoree' Jackson (22), Julian Love (20)
Nick McCloud (44)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
Wan'Dale Robinson
Darius Slayton Wan'Dale Robinson
Matt Breida
Darius Slayton
Daniel Jones (8)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Mark Glowinski (64), Saquon Barkley (26), Tanner Hudson (88)
Tomon Fox (49)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Wan'Dale Robinson (17), Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Jones (8)
Andrew Thomas (78), Lawrence Cager (83), Tyre Phillips (79), Daniel Jones (8), Jamie Gillan (6), Chris Myarick (85)
Julian Love (20), Fabian Moreau (37)
Jihad Ward (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Leonard Williams (99)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Nick Williams (93)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Daniel Jones (8), Tanner Hudson (88)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Dane Belton (24)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Jason Pinnock (27)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Jon Feliciano (76)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Xavier McKinney (29), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley Mark Glowinski Daniel Bellinger
Jihad Ward (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Daniel Jones
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Nick Williams (93), Oshane Ximines (53), Julian Love (20)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Landon Collins (21)
Jihad Ward (55)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jihad Ward (55)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Adoree' Jackson (22), Oshane Ximines (53)
Cam Brown (47)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Jon Feliciano (76), Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Carter Coughlin (52), Jason Pinnock (27), Cam Brown (47), Jamie Gillan (6)
Daniel Jones (8)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Xavier McKinney (29), Adoree' Jackson (22)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
Xavier McKinney
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Jason Pinnock
Jason Pinnock
Saquon Barkley
Tyre Phillips
Graham Gano Jamie Gillan
Matt Breida (31)
Dexter Lawrence Leonard Williams Oshane Ximines
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love
Jihad Ward
Darnay Holmes Jaylon Smith
Dexter Lawrence
Gary Brightwell (23)
Saquon Barkley
Jaylon Smith
Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones (8)
Jihad Ward (55)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams
Daniel Jones
Landon Collins (21) Tony Jefferson (36) Zyon Gilbert (38) Leonard Williams (99) Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Lawrence Cager, Kenny Golladay
Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Landon Collins (21)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Graham Gano (9)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Micah McFadden (41)
Tony Jefferson (36)
Vernon Butler (91)
Ryder Anderson (90)
Nick McCloud (44)
Tony Jefferson (36)
Zyon Gilbert (38) Gary Brightwell (23)
Jason Pinnock (27)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Landon Collins (21)
Marcus Johnson (84)
Richie James (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55), Leonard Williams (99)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Zyon Gilbert (38)
Xavier McKinney (29) Dexter Lawrence (97)
Zyon Gilbert (38) Tony Jefferson (36)
Daniel Jones (8)
Richie James (80)
Isaiah Hodgins
Oshane Ximines (53)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Jason Pinnock (27)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Adoree' Jackson (22), Dane Belton (24)
Leonard Williams (99)
Graham Gano (9)
Matt Breida (31)
Landon Collins (21)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Darius Slayton (86)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Richie James (80)
Jamie Gillan (6)
Darius Slayton (86)
Jaylon Smith (54), Darnay Holmes (30)
Henry Mondeaux (96), Oshane Ximines (53)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Darius Slayton (86)
Julian Love (20)
Daniel Jones (8)
Richie James (80)
Richie James (80)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Daniel Jones (8)
Richie James (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Landon Collins (21)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Leonard Williams (99)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darnay Holmes (30),
Jamie Gillan (6)
Jihad Ward (55)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Nick McCloud (44)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Neal (73)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Bellinger (82)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Leonard Williams (99), Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Ryder Anderson (90)
Cor'Dale Flott (28), Micah McFadden (41)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick McCloud (44)
Tony Jefferson (36), Zyon Gilbert (38)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Tyre Phillips (79), Evan Neal (73)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Darnay Holmes (30), Julian Love (20)
Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Richie James (80)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Chris Myarick (85)
Richie James (80)
Gary Brightwell (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jaylon Smith (54), Tony Jefferson (36), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Tony Jefferson (36), Darnay Holmes (30)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Azeez Ojulari (51), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick McCloud (44)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Micah McFadden (41)
Oshane Ximines (53), Jaylon Smith (54), Dexter Lawrence (97), Micah McFadden (41), Leonard Williams (99)
Fabian Moreau (37)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) intercepts a pass during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) and Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday November 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (80) makes a catch during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday November 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday November 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Nick Vannett (89) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) makes a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs with the ball during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants cornerback Fabian Moreau (37) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a NFL football game against the against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday January 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (23)
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Leonard Williams (99)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Jihad Ward (55)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jamie Gillan (6) Graham Gano (9)
Lawrence Cager (83) HC Brian Daboll
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
HC Brian Daboll
*The Giants have won four consecutive games in their series with Houston dating back to 2006. Their only loss to the Texans was in the franchise's inaugural season in 2002. The teams last met on Sept. 23, 2018, a 27-22 Giants victory in Houston.
*The Giants have trailed in each of their eight games this season. They are one of 12 teams that have trailed in each or more games. The 6-2 Giants are the only one of the 12 that is .500 or better. The other 11 are a combined 30-61-2 in 2022.
*The Giants are 13-20 in games following a regular-season bye.
