'MNF' preview: Banged-up Giants host Seahawks in must-win game

The undermanned New York Giants (1-2) aim to get their season back on track when they host the Seattle Seahawks (2-1) on "Monday Night Football." Here's what to watch for each team:

When the Giants are on offense

Two captains are likely out: New York will be without All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, who suffered a setback in his hamstring injury recovery, for the third straight game. Additionally, star running back Saquon Barkley is listed as doubtful and will be a game-time decision as he works back from a high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2. 

Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowler, was a limited participant in each practice session this past week but didn't take part in many, if any, team drills, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. 

Will QB Daniel Jones deliver in primetime?: The first season of Jones' four-year $160M contract hasn't started out as he or the Giants envisioned. The 26-year-old has thrown for 562 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions through three games, in addition to rushing for 107 yards and one touchdown. With Barkley likely out of this game and New York's subpar offensive line missing Thomas, Jones must create plays with his legs.

However, Jones' record on the national stage suggests that he won't turn the Giants' struggles around, as he is 1-11 in primetime games, including 0-6 on "Monday Night Football." 

Safety Jamal Adams’ season debut: The former sixth overall pick by the New York Jets will make his highly anticipated 2023 debut after he went down with a season-ending torn quadriceps in Week 1 of 2022, which was so severe he briefly considered retirement. 

Despite playing well at the beginning of his Seahawks tenure, injuries have limited Adams to playing just 13 games since signing a four-year, $70M extension in 2021 and will need to prove his worth this season.

Adams thrives against the run and is one of the best pass-rushing defensive backs in the NFL, making a Giants offensive line that has surrendered 12 sacks through three games a potentially advantageous matchup for him. 

Safety Julian Love’s return to the Meadowlands: Love, a free agent acquisition by Seattle this offseason, will play his first game against the Giants after spending the first four seasons of his career with the team, though his role will be reduced due to Adams' return. 

As a Giant, Love racked up 192 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. This season, he’s tied for the team lead in passes defended (three) and ranks third in tackles (27). 

When the Seahawks are on offense

Can QB Geno Smith continue to build on his recent turnaround?: Smith is starting to find his stride after a poor season-opening performance against the Rams, where he threw for 112 yards. Over the last two games, Smith is averaging 312 passing yards and has thrown three touchdowns to one interception. 

The Giants secondary, which features two rookie cornerbacks, has limited opposing signal-callers to 227 passing yards per game this season, though they haven't been tested often since the team has already suffered two blowout losses. 

With wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett leading one of the more underrated receiving corps in the league, Smith is well-equipped to produce another 300-yard game against his former team. 

Is this when Jaxon Smith-Njigba finally makes his mark?: The first wideout selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith-Njigba has had a difficult time making an impact thus far, catching nine of 14 targets for 57 yards through three games. While his frustrations were apparent during last week's 37-27 win over Carolina, Smith-Njigba should get more involved soon. 

During an appearance on "Inside the NFL," Smith told host Ryan Clark that he's aware of Smith-Njigba's displeasure and will strive to get the rookie the football "as much as possible."

“One of those things where I just noticed on the sideline [Smith-Njigba] was kinda down about it (his lack of production so far),” Smith said via Buckeyes Wire. “And obviously we got a bunch of talent on this team and there’s only one football. And I want to get Jaxon the ball as much as possible. But it just hasn’t turned out that way so far."

RB Kenneth Walker III should continue his early rushing success: After totaling 156 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against Carolina, Walker should have another strong outing against a weak Giants run defense. New York has given up 414 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season, showing that they are incapable of stopping the run in crucial moments. The team's 26 first downs allowed on rushing plays rank as the sixth-most entering Week 4.  

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux tries to fend off the "bust" label: The Giants selected Thibodeaux fifth overall in 2022, and while he showed flashes as a rookie, he didn't light up the box score, registering four sacks in 14 games. Thibodeaux was supposed to be one of the players to help elevate New York's defense entering his second season but has not come close to meeting expectations.

Through three games, Thibodeaux has recorded just seven tackles and one sack, earning him a 36.6 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranks 105th out of 107 qualified edge defenders. 

The pressure's on for Thibodeaux, and the Giants, whose two sacks are the fewest by a defense this season, desperately need him to prove that he'll develop into the player they believe he can become.