Five things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: New York Giants

Oh boy, what will the Manning brothers have to say about the Chiefs on “Monday Night Football” next week?

The “Manningcast” has been a huge hit, in part because of the frank discussion that takes place on the ESPN2 broadcast, and Peyton and Eli Manning (hopefully) should be calling next Monday’s game.

This season has been a struggle for the Chiefs, who will end October with a 3-4 record. They’ll hope to start a turnaround when the New York Giants come to Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 1.

Each week, I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here are five things to know about Tennessee before next Monday’s game. Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m., and the game will air on KMBC (Ch. 9), ESPN and ESPN2.

1. Nuts and bolts

The Giants, who have a 2-5 record, are playing .500 ball over their last four games, including a 25-3 blowout victory over the Panthers on Sunday.

New York leads the all-time series 11-3, including a 12-9 overtime victory in the last meeting on Nov. 19 2017.

The Giants are averaging 19.9 points per game, which is 25th in the NFL while allowing 25.7 points per game, which ranks 23rd.

They are tied for 13th in the NFL in turnover margin (zero) with nine takeaways and giveaways.

2. Daniel Jones is ODJ?

Quarterback Daniel Jones, who was the Giants’ first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has completed 63.5% of his passes for 1,727 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Here was one of those touchdown passes, a 5-yard pass to Dante Pettis on Sunday.

Jones has also rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns this season, and he had his first reception Sunday. This was only a 16-yard gain, but it was a tremendous one-handed catch that had the NFL Network calling him “ODJ.”

3. Injury issues

The Giants won Sunday despite missing three of their top offensive players. An ankle injury sidelined running back Saquon Barkley, and he’s not expected to be back in time to face the Chiefs. He’s appeared in five games this season.

Wide receivers Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) also missed Sunday’s game, but their status for the Chiefs game is unknown.

Two other receivers were dealing with hamstring issues but played Sunday: John Ross and Darius Slayton. Tight end Evan Engram played after being hampered by a calf injury.

4. Offensive leaders

With Barkley out, Devontae Booker is the Giants’ top running back. Booker, the former Broncos and Raiders running back, rushed for 51 yards in 14 carries against the Panthers and has 156 rushing yards this season. He is averaging 3.2 yards per carry.

Sterling Shepard leads the Giants with 28 receptions, while Toney is first with 317 receiving yards. No Giants receiver has more than one touchdown reception this season.

5. The defense

The Giants had given up points on 48.4% of opponent drives, which was third-worst in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference. That’s slightly better than the Chiefs, who are at 48.3%.

They are allowing 243.1 passing yards per game, which is tied for 13th. New York blitzes on 24.7% of snaps, which is the 12th most in the NFL, per Pro Football Reference. They are getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks on just 17% of snaps, which is second-to-last in the NFL.

The Giants did get to Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold for this sack on Sunday.

Opponents are rushing for an average of 125.6 yards per game against the Giants, which is 24th in the NFL.