Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Getty
Tyrone Tracy Jr. gives the New York Giants a hidden matchup advantage against the New England Patriots in Week 13.
Facing the 10-2 New England Patriots on the road in Week 13 is a daunting task for a 2-10 New York Giants team with an interim head coach, but Mike Kafka has a matchup advantage for the game at Gillette Stadium on Monday Night Football, thanks to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and a hidden stat about the Pats’ defense.
Tracy has been one of the main beneficiaries of temporary boss Kafka retaining play-calling responsibilities. Kafka needs to dial the running back’s number early and often on December 1, because Tracy can exploit an obvious weakness.
Specifically, how “the Patriots have struggled to slow down running backs in the passing game. New England has allowed 65 receptions to the position this season, the second-most in the league, while their 410 receiving yards to RBs rank 10th,” according to Giants.com Managing Editor Matt Citak.
Those numbers should inspire Tracy, a converted wide receiver who offered a reminder of his big-play skills during the 34-27 loss to the Detroit Lions in overtime in Week 12. He rushed for 62 yards on 20 carries, but Tracy also turned three catches into 68 yards.
Tracy represents a rare matchup advantage the Giants must exploit. Particularly if rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is back in the lineup after clearing concussion protocol.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Should Be Giants’ Main Weapon in Week 13
Having Dart back might encourage Kafka to air it out more often, but whether it’s a run or a pass called, the ball should be in Tracy’s hands most of the time in New England. He’s flashed breakout potential in the past, and the 26-year-old possesses the speed and elusiveness to cause the Pats problems in coverage.
Veterans Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens have given the Patriots more range at the linebacker position, but neither can stay with Tracy in space. The Lions couldn’t do it when Tracy made this 42-yard catch and run behind the blitz.
A few early grabs in space for Tracy will deter the Patriots from sending extra rushers after Dart, but there are other ways for the Giants to protect their young and battle-worn signal-caller.
Running Game Key if Jaxson Dart Starts vs. Patriots
The Pats had boasted a particularly stout run defense until “Bengals running back Chase Brown put together the best performance against the Patriots run defense this past week. Brown totaled 19 carries for 107 yards, the highest yardage total New England has allowed to a running back all season, while adding another 23 yards on two receptions. Prior to this outing, no running back had rushed for more than 58 yards against the Patriots defense all season. This included games against Ashton Jeanty, De’Von Achane, James Cook and Bijan Robinson, among numerous other talented backs,” per Citak.
Tracy and the Giants can feel confident about matching Brown’s efforts. Especially if mobile Dart is at the controls.
Kafka will have to judge the risk of choosing the 2025 NFL draft first-round pick, who’s been in concussion protocol four times during his debut campaign, over veteran Jameis Winston. Yet, the risk can be mitigated by having dart handoff to Tracy and veteran back Devin Singletary more often.
There’s good reason to do it when Patriots linebackers, including Spillane and Christian Elliss, struggled with missed tackles earlier in the season. Tracy knows how to break loose against a tough defense, the way he did of this 31-yard scoring dash against the Denver Broncos in Week 7.
Giving Tracy more opportunities to run will limit how often Dart puts himself in harm’s way, while featuring backs in the passing game can play to one of the few matchup advantages that favors the Giants.