New York Giants vs New Orleans Saints Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Saints, Preparing to Face Giants, Still Hope to Make Run

The New Orleans Saints and New York Giants are both seeking a turnaround as they clash Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., but for vastly different stakes.

Saints Cling to NFC South Hopes

Despite a 4-8 record, the Saints remain in contention in a wide-open NFC South. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who took over midseason, remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

“The big picture is we still have the opportunity to potentially win our division, but that doesn’t happen unless we win this game this week,” Rizzi said.

However, the Saints face a challenging path. They need to win out to secure a winning record and have been plagued by injuries, most notably to Taysom Hill, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week against the Rams.

Hill’s absence leaves a significant void. As a team captain and versatile playmaker, Hill has been crucial on special teams, as well as in quarterback, running back, fullback, and tight end roles.

“It’s going to take multiple people to fill that role because he’s so multi-dimensional,” Rizzi said.

Giants Experiment with Drew Lock

The Giants (2-10) are officially eliminated from playoff contention and are focused on evaluating talent. After seven consecutive losses, New York turned to quarterback Drew Lock last week, and the results were mixed.

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Lock led a promising opening drive that ended with a touchdown, giving the Giants their first lead in seven games. However, turnovers and inconsistencies persisted in the 27-20 loss to the Cowboys.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll confirmed Lock would start again this week, citing some encouraging signs from his performance.

“He made some good plays, some plays with his feet, stepping up when getting pressure and keeping his eyes downfield,” Daboll said. “But we have to correct some of those turnovers.”

Injury Concerns

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries.

• Giants: Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is out with an elbow injury, adding to a growing list of sidelined players, including left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), right tackle Evan Neal (hip), and others.
• Saints: Starting guards Cesar Ruiz (concussion) and Nick Saldiveri (knee) missed practice, though starting center Erik McCoy (groin) is expected to play.

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Key Matchups

1. Saints Offense Without Taysom Hill
   With Hill sidelined, the Saints must lean on players like quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara to generate offense.
2. Drew Lock vs. Saints’ Defense
   Lock faces a Saints defense capable of applying pressure, and limiting his turnovers will be critical for New York.
3. Giants’ Run Defense Without Lawrence
   With Lawrence out, New York’s ability to contain Kamara and the Saints’ ground game will be a key factor.

What’s at Stake

The Saints are desperate to stay alive in the NFC South race, while the Giants are focused on building for the future. For New Orleans, every game is a must-win; for New York, it’s about developing players and identifying solutions for 2024.

Outlook

The Saints have more to play for and a stronger overall roster, but the Giants’ renewed energy with Lock under center could make this a competitive matchup. New Orleans must stay disciplined to avoid being upset in a game critical to their postseason aspirations.