Disclaimer: At SportSourcio, we pride ourselves on curating content from some of the best sports writers in the industry. The articles and opinions presented on our site are sourced from a variety of talented authors and reputable outlets. We encourage our readers to support these writers and publications by visiting the original sources and following their work. Your support helps sustain the quality and depth of sports journalism that we all enjoy.

Giants news, 12/19: Evan Neal back on the sidelines, Ben Sauls, more headlines

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View

Other Giant observations

NFL Week 16 Preview: Schedule, storylines, matchups to watch | PFF

Matchup to watch: Vikings’ pass blitz vs. Giants QB Jaxson Dart. The Giants have to find ways to protect their young franchise quarterback. Jaxson Dart (69.1 grade; 27th) was evaluated for a concussion for the fifth time this season against the Commanders in Week 15, and the Vikings’ defense will be after Dart in Week 16.

Through 15 weeks, the Vikings are blitzing on 61.7% of passing downs, and are sixth in EPA per play when blitzing. Dart has played well against the blitz, registering a 70.9 overall PFF grade while completing 62.1% of his passes, but has been sacked 10 times. However, the Vikings will look to light up the young signal-caller and muddy the waters. He’s excellent when creating, but that reckless play style can be exploited.

Daniel Jeremiah pours cold water on the notion of trading Dart to draft Mendoza

New York Giants’ Mike Kafka defends Jaxson Dart amid overblown ‘narratives’ | USAToday.com

Kafka didn’t hold back when asked about the nonstop chatter surrounding Dart’s ball security, aggressive running style, and whether all the outside noise is getting into the young QB’s head.

“I don’t necessarily listen to the narratives out there,” Kafka said firmly. “Me and Jaxson talk each day. We talk about what’s important for his job, what’s important for the offense… Don’t get too bogged down with all the other stuff. It’s alright, let’s focus on what we can control today. “I don’t sense that [any confusion or trepidation]. I sense a really aggressive player that’s continuing to learn and grow and build an offense around him, and he’s taking all that in, and he’s making it his own and putting his fingerprint on it.”

Evan Neal Looking to Make Most of Time Left with Giants | SI.com

“When you can’t control what you can’t control, you don’t try to focus on that,” Neal told reporters on Wednesday after practice. “I just kind of tried to go inward, you know, just focus on Evan, just focus on the things I can do to continue to keep myself mentally strong, physically strong, and just be ready for whatever’s next.”

“I practiced hard, and I just did everything that I could do within the best of my abilities to go out there and play,” he said. “I still see value in myself as a player, and whatever the future holds, hey, I’m excited for.”

Presser Points: Mike Kafka updates injuries | Giants.com

The Giants waived kicker Younghoe Koo after he missed two 50-yard attempts on Sunday. Ben Sauls is in line to kick on Sunday as of “right now.” The undrafted rookie from the University of Pittsburgh spent time with the Steelers and Falcons this season before joining the Giants’ practice squad on Nov. 11. Sauls played in 53 games over five seasons at Pittsburgh, finishing fifth in program history in points. He made 52 of 64 field goal attempts in his college career. However, he has yet to attempt a field goal in the NFL regular season.

Kafka was asked if the Giants are exploring the possibility of bringing in another kicker. “Well, I mean, that’s the discussion that we’ve got to have, but right now, we’re confident in what Ben has.”

Meet Ben Sauls

You could make a good case that the Giants — for various reasons (especially quarterback and ownership) — are be a better opening than the Titans, Raiders, Cardinals and Falcons.

From the Giants’ perspective, some coaches would be intriguing if they shake loose — Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Matt LaFleur chief among them, with Kevin Stefanski and Kevin O’Connell also in that mix to a lesser degree.

5. New York Giants. Schoen will obviously hire someone he feels compatible with, but if the Giants decide to move on from Schoen in 2027 or 2028, it would create another mismatched timeline between the coach they hire now and the next general manager. Will that new personnel executive want to hire his own coach? Will the Giants just fire this next coach, as they (deservedly) did with Joe Judge after two seasons, so the next general manager can enter the building with his handpicked guy? Will there be more pressure on the next coach to succeed in a shortened time frame as a result? And if Dart proves to be a disappointment or can’t stay healthy, will this next coach get to go after the next quarterback?

Two-time Giants Super Bowl champ Chris Snee believes. “I do think the pieces are there and we need to continue to build around them.I wish everyone would believe it. But I believe it. When I look in the mirror, I believe it.”

This week’s opponent

Milestones within Justin Jefferson’s Reach | Vikings.com

Four catches and 112 yards will cement Justin Jefferson as the G.O.A.T. wide receiver through a player’s first six seasons.

That’s what he must acquire over Minnesota’s final three contests in 2025 to jump Jarvis Landry and Randy Moss for the most catches and yards in the first half-dozen years of a player’s career.

NFL Week 16 Preview: Schedule, storylines, matchups to watch | PFF

Minnesota Vikings (-3) vs. New York Giants. Storyline of the game: Can J.J. McCarthy and Justin Jefferson find some chemistry? Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (63.7 grade; 33rd) has played his best football over the last two weeks. It’s a small sample size, but McCarthy has compiled an 89.1 overall PFF grade in Weeks 14 and 15 — the fourth-highest among quarterbacks — and has five big-time throws against zero turnover-worthy plays.

However, McCarthy’s connection with superstar Justin Jefferson (75.7 grade; 27th) hasn’t been producing. Jefferson has caught just 25 of 54 of his targets since Week 9, the eighth-lowest percentage among receivers. Jefferson does have three drops in that time, but the chemistry between the two isn’t clicking, and figuring that out is vital for the Vikings’ future success.