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Jason Pierre-Paul Will Be X-Factor For New York Giants In Week 5

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By @teapester725

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Last week, the New York Giants decimated their division rival Washington Redskins, dominating every facet of the game. Eli Manning and the offense were the big story of the game, putting up 45 points thanks in part to six turnovers forced by the defense. The defense will once again be the focus of the Giants Week 5 game against an explosive Atlanta Falcons offense. That is why Jason Pierre-Paul will be the x-factor Week 5 for the Giants.

The last two seasons have been a struggle for Pierre-Paul, as he has battled numerous injuries and been ineffective as teams game planned against him as the focal point of the Giants’ defense. This season he came in healthy, ready to play and thus far has performed great for the Giants. He has 22 total tackles — three of which were for losses — to go with 1.5 sacks and three passes defended.

With Pierre-Paul once again being active and productive along the defensive line, opposing offenses are once again being forced to pay attention to him. He has held the edge very well against the run, and has been getting good pressure on the quarterback through four games, causing teams to send double-teams at him.

This in turn gives the opposite defensive end one-on-one opportunities that they have been winning more often than not. Against the Redskins, Mathias Kiwanuka registered a strip sack on the defense’s first drive. His sub, Robert Ayers, has performed even better in limited action and currently ranks second, according to Pro Football Focus for 4-3 defensive ends.

A lot of that production can be credited to Pierre-Paul, who is warranting the attention of opposing offenses with his play through four games. The defensive line is once again looking dominant for the Giants, as they have registered 8.5 of the Giants nine sacks thus far — 1.5 of those by Pierre-Paul.

This week against the Falcons, the play of Pierre-Paul will have a big impact on the outcome of the game. The Falcons lost three offensive linemen in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings and two of them, center Joe Hawley and tackle Lamar Holmes, are out for the season. Guard Justin Blalock was the other player injured and he was held out of practice Wednesday and is questionable. It got to the point the Falcons were forced to use tight end Levine Toilolo. If that happens again, Pierre-Paul will have a field day.

With such a depleted offensive line, the Giants’ defensive line, led by Pierre-Paul, have to take advantage. Matt Ryan is not the fleetest of foot being more of a stationary quarterback, which makes for an easy target behind a makeshift offensive line. If Pierre-Paul can continue getting into the backfield and demanding double-teams this week against the Falcons, the Giants should find themselves getting their third win of the season.

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

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