Giants at Saints: A winning streak? That, and more storylines

The New York Giants (1-3) hit the road this week to face the 0-4 New Orleans Saints. Here are some of the storylines to follow.

Two in a row?

The Giants are, of course, coming off their only victory of season, a 21-18 upset of the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers. New York has not had a winning streak since Weeks 11-14 of 2023, when they won three straight games with Tommy DeVito at quarterback. The Giants are 5-20 since that streak ended.

The incredible morphing point spread

When we took long-range looks at the Giants’ 2025 schedule during the offseason, this week’s game against the Saints was the only one in which oddsmakers favored the Giants. Even Sunday night, the Giants were 1-point favorites after defeating the Chargers.

Now? As of Wednesday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook has the winless Saints as 1.5-point favorites. Across the board, Las Vegas oddsmakers have New Orleans favored by anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 points.

Why? Almost certainly, that has everything to do with the season-ending torn ACL suffered by Malik Nabers, the Giants’ best offensive player. Maybe it also has a little do with uncertainty about how well Jaxson Dart (hamstring) will be moving around this week, and with the Saints being at home.

Mostly, though, it has to be the Nabers’ effect.

How will the Giants replace Nabers?

The short answer is, they won’t. There isn’t another player on their 53-man roster or practice squad who can do what Nabers can do. There isn’t one on the street. There isn’t one available via trade. As Dart said Sunday evening, Nabers is “one of one.”

Yes, once upon a time Odell Beckham Jr, could do those things. Not now. Signing Beckham is an option, until it isn’t. Reality is, though, Beckham has not been a dominant NFL receiver since 2019, his last 1,000-yard season. He caught nine passes in nine games for the Miami Dolphins a season ago, averaging a mere 6.1 yards per catch.

He’s not BECKHAM any longer.

• Jalin Hyatt will get increased opportunities. Maybe he will catch a few balls. Occasionally, perhaps even a deep one that makes a difference. Still, the Giants have told you what they think of Hyatt by barely using him last year and the first three games of this year. He’s not the game-changer they hoped he would be.
• Beaux Collins. Every Giants’ fan is still looking for the next Victor Cruz, a free agent wide receiver who becomes a star. Hopes have been raised before. Remember Corey Washington? Bryce Ford-Wheaton? Alex Bachman? Tight end Chris Conrad? Now, Collins carries those hopes. Maybe there is something there. Remember those two preseason interceptions Colllins caused by running the wrong routes, though.
• Gunner Olszewski. Yes, he is listed as a wide receiver. Yes, he and Dart hooked up for a nice play or two in the preseason. Olszewski, though, is a former Division II defensive back with 15 career receptions in 69...