Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Will Be X-Factor For New York Giants In Week 6

By Kenneth Teape @teapester725 on October 8, 2014

When the New York Giants take on the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, it will be a game of great importance. Both teams are coming in with aspirations of winning what looks like a stronger NFC East than people thought they would see. This game has shootout potential, which makes the defensive backfields important. It will not be easy, but the Giants need to find a way to slow down the Eagles’ explosive passing game, making Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie the Giants’ x-factor in this matchup between division rivals.

The Giants signed Rodgers-Cromartie to be their No. 1 cornerback, expecting him to shadow the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receiver. After struggling against Calvin Johnson in Week 1, like many other DB’s before him, Rodgers-Cromartie has bounced back well.

In the next three games, against Michael Floyd, Andre Johnson and DeSean Jackson, Rodgers-Cromartie was on top of his game, as the trio combined for only six receptions and 52 yards. The shutting down of those three receivers is in big part due to Rodgers-Cromartie’s play.

Julio Jones’ stats were gaudy against DRC and the Giants’ secondary in their victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5, but that is in large part because of the massive amount of targets – 16 — Jones received. The stats are a bit misleading as well, as Jones was held to his lowest YPC in any game this season, evidence the Giants were able to contain him to an extent.

Against the Eagles this week, Rodgers-Cromartie will again have his hands full with another player who is peppered with targets in Jeremy Maclin. Maclin on the season has 57 targets, which is tied for first in the NFL and 25 more than any other Eagle. Maclin has converted that into 25 receptions for 429 yards and four touchdowns.

Rodgers-Cromartie has been battling nagging injuries recently though, and is even present on the injury report this week. He is dealing with both ankle and hip injuries, and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. However, he says that he will be ready to go Sunday for the Giants.

This is good news for the Giants, as not having Rodgers-Cromartie on the field against the offense of the Eagles would be bad news. Already without Walter Thurmond for the season, the Giants can ill afford to be without their biggest free agent acquisition for a period of time. Rodgers-Cromartie says he is ready to go though, and he is the x-factor for the Giants this weekend, as his play will help dictate the flow of the game.

Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network.