Colt McCoy’s recent starts shed light on what Giants’ game plan should be if he plays in Week 13 – Yahoo Sports

Colt McCoy makes pass vs. Bengals

Heading into practice on Wednesday, Giants head coach Joe Judge said that backup QB Colt McCoy will take a majority of the first-team reps as the team prepares for their matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Daniel Jones is still working hard to get healthy, but there was an outside chance that he would be ready to go.

So the Giants are potentially getting ready for a McCoy-led offense, which will be his first start since Week 5 of last year when the Washington Football Team played the New England Patriots. It was a 33-7 loss for McCoy and his previous start after that came in Week 13 of the 2018 season with the Football Team again a 28-13 loss to the Eagles where he completed all four of his passes before the ball was given to Mark Sanchez instead. One more start in the week prior of that season was also a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

In fact, McCoy hasn't won a start since Week 8 of the 2014 season.

But that didnt deter Judge from saying that he is extremely confident in the veterans abilities if and when he has to go under center for the Giants.

I have a lot of confidence in Colt, he told reporters Wednesday via Zoom. The way this guy comes to work every day and prepares and then every chance he gets on the field to compete look, Ive been able to coach against this guy and now hes with us right now. You can see how competitive he is. Hes got a lot of instincts, a lot of savvy, and draws on his experience. Hes a tough dude. Hes mentally tough, hes physically tough and hes a guy whos very well respected on this team in the locker room and on the field. The guys like Colt and they rally around him.

Trust from players and coaches goes a long way, but what exactly do the Giants like about McCoy that makes them feel that way? Well, QB coach Jerry Schuplinski made it clear last night that McCoy had a great training camp that impressed defensive coordinator Patrick Graham given he was lighting up his defense during practices.

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When you also take a look back at those performances from McCoy, youll see a quarterback who can roam the pocket and as Judge pointed out use instincts to feel pressure and make plays happen. However, there are times when McCoy does scramble and seems to panic, causing turnovers. He had three interceptions in that game against the Cowboys despite throwing for over 250 yards (he also threw for two touchdowns).

But there are a couple of things working in McCoys favor that the Giants will hope can be utilized on Sunday no matter who's quarterbacking.

For one, the offensive line is improving by the week and that not only helps Wayne Gallman & Co. in the run game, but it should help McCoy from running around for his life. And make no mistake: The Giants will most likely try to pound the ball on the Seahawks, kill clock and limit Russell Wilsons time with the ball in his hands. McCoy will, then, be tasked with making the necessary throws to game manage and get points on the board kind of like what happened when Jones went down this past Sunday.

Well, I think the line obviously throughout the year works together and made a lot of improvement, Judge said. I think its a reflection of how these guys are able to compete through games together and how thats improved.

Also, it helps that McCoy and the Giants will be playing against one of the worst defenses in the league this year. Forget what happened on Monday night against the Eagles because Philly has its own issues on offense. Despite the record, the Seahawks are allowing an atrocious 418.1 yards per game. And most of that yardage comes through the air 328.8 per game to be exact.

So while the front seven might be solid in the run game, McCoy should be able to find his plethora of weapons on the outside open. Evan Engram will be a target to watch considering Seattle has allowed 585 yards and five touchdowns to tight ends this season. Dallas Goedert had his way with Jamal Adams, for example, on Monday night. Theres also Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard with very reliable short-to-medium route trees that should be able to work.

Will the deep ball be available? Maybe if the Seahawks get too lax. But the Giants should be banking on McCoy to hit his shorter throws whether that be designed screens, hitches and digs that will eat up chunks of yards and clock.

The Giants are an improving team by the week and their three-game win streak shows it. If Jones cant go, it will be up to McCoy to rely on his instincts and work with that improvement. Try not to do too much and make sure the ball stays away from Seattles offense. That is where the Giants can come away with an upset and keep their NFC East lead intact.

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Colt McCoy's recent starts shed light on what Giants' game plan should be if he plays in Week 13 - Yahoo Sports