Giants RT Makes Bold Statement on Facing T.J. Watt
New York Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor will have the mighty task of blocking Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt on Monday night. It’s a challenge that he welcomes.
“I love it. I’ve been telling you, I’m the most confident guy in this locker room,” Eluemunor said. “I think you can see that through my play this year. I want to be on an island with him all day.”
That’s a pretty bold statement, but Eluemunor is oozing with confidence. He wants to be the leader for a Giants offensive line that allowed a whopping eight sacks in last Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Giants are without All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, who suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury. That’s a big loss, but the offensive line still should be playing better than how they have been. They’re just not playing as a unit.
“For us having a young guy at left tackle, we have to do a little bit more to make him more comfortable,” Eluemunor said. “And we will. But that will mean I have to do more on my side, which I’m completely fine with.”
Watt comes into Monday night’s game with 4.5 sacks, but he’s been shut out two weeks in a row. Eluemunor was listed as questionable (hip/groin) for Monday night’s game, but he confirmed on X that he’s playing.
Giants left tackle Chris Hubabrd will have the assignment of blocking Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. He replaces rookie Joshua Ezeudu, who allowed two sacks and three pressures in his first career start last week. The Giants signed Hubabrd off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on Oct. 18. Hubabrd also spent four seasons with the Steelers from 2013-2017.
On paper, Watt and Highsmith should have a field day against the Giants. The offensive tackles are not that good, and overall, New York’s offense has been abysmal. The Giants are averaging just 14.1 points per game (tied for 30th). The Steelers defense ranks second in points allowed per game (14.4).
The Giants have a game-wrecker on the defensive side of the ball, too, however. All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence leads the league in sacks with nine. The Giants are also No. 1 in sacks with 31.
Monday night’s game most likely will be won in the trenches. Can Eluemunor contain Watt? Can Steelers center Ryan McCollum slow down Lawrence? Whoever makes a bigger impact could be the difference.
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