ClutchPoints
The New York Giants have had no shortage of drama to start their season. Well, things don’t get any easier in Week 3. A primetime date with the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium looms. Note that Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are desperate to avoid a shocking 0-3 start. With that, the Giants know they’ll need an outstanding performance to seize control. For New York, one difference-maker could very well be defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. He’s the anchor of their defensive front.
The Chiefs and Giants meet in a matchup that will test both teams’ resilience. Kansas City’s defense showed signs of improvement in Week 2, but the loss underscored ongoing issues. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is known for exploiting quarterbacks who take risks. Of course, he’ll look to pressure Russell Wilson, whose tendency to hold the ball makes him vulnerable. Still, the Chiefs’ offense has fallen well short of its usual standard. It is just no longer safe to assume Patrick Mahomes can carry them single-handedly.
Oddsmakers remain hesitant to bet against Mahomes, though. This is especially true against a Giants defense that has allowed the fourth-most yards per drive (43.2). That said, Kansas City’s offensive line remains a glaring weakness. If New York’s pass rush, which is anchored by Dexter Lawrence and complemented by Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, can generate consistent pressure, this clash could turn into a far more uncomfortable night for the Chiefs than they’d like.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the New York Giants’ X-factor for blockbuster Week 3 clash vs. Kansas City Chiefs.
For all of Kansas City’s brilliance in recent years, one glaring flaw has persisted: shaky pass protection. Mahomes was sacked 36 times during the 2024 regular season and went down six more in the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia. Through two weeks of this season, the problem hasn’t gone away. That sets the stage for Lawrence & Co. to take center stage.
Remember that Lawrence is one of the league’s most disruptive interior linemen. He blends ssize with deceptive quickness. His ability to collapse the pocket from the inside forces quarterbacks into hurried throws and awkward decisions. Against Kansas City, that skill becomes even more vital. With the Chiefs rotating at left tackle and still searching for stability, Lawrence should see favorable matchups that he can exploit. Expect at least one sack and several pressures from the three-time Pro Bowler. This is especially true with Burns and Thibodeaux drawing attention on the edge.
New York’s defensive coordinator knows Mahomes won’t be rattled by blitzes alone. The Chiefs’ quarterback thrives when defenses send extra rushers. This often turns chaos into big plays. That’s why the Giants’ best chance lies in generating pressure with their front four. Lawrence is the key to that strategy.
With Burns and Abdul Carter stretching the edges, Lawrence’s presence up...
