Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week 3

An inside look at Sunday night’s Giants-Chiefs NFL Week 3 matchup at MetLife Stadium:

Marquee matchup

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie vs. Giants WR Malik Nabers

Two of the NFL’s best at their positions will see plenty of action against each other.

McDuffie was first-team All-Pro in 2023 and second-team in 2024.

Nabers is coming off a huge outing (9-167, 2 TDs) and through two weeks leads the NFL with 238 receiving yards.

“He’s a very talented cornerback,” Nabers said. “He’s matched up on a lot of guys. I’ve been watching him since he was in high school, watching a lot of guys play him in college also, him being at Washington. I’ve got nothing but respect for all my opponents.”

Four downs

Stick like glue: Of all Patrick Mahomes’ on-field gifts, his ability to make something out of nothing is perhaps the most frustrating for opposing defenses. No one is better at buying time with his legs and keeping his eyes down the field.

“Got to be disciplined on all levels, the main level probably is the back end because once he gets to scrambling your eyes come off your ma,n and that’s when he hits you with a big play,” Brian Burns said.

The Chiefs’ receivers know a play is never dead with their quarterback.

“They play with great synergy, all the receivers,” Bobby Okereke said. “They get into that scramble drill, that backyard football drill pretty quickly and they all are on the same page.”

Middle men: It is a truism that the Giants like John Michael Schmitz as their starting center better than media and analysts outside the building.

Take this for what it is worth, but Pro Football Focus grades Schmitz as the 32nd starting center in the league through two weeks.

Next up is the supreme challenge of Chris Jones, one of the NFL’s top interior defensive linemen.

Jones is off to a slow start, with just four pressures in the first two games. Like Dexter Lawrence with the Giants, Jones commands double-team blocks on virtually every snap.

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Real or mirage? Does anyone have any idea what the real Giants’ offense looks like?

This unit was a touchdown-less mess in Week 1 then held a deep passing party in Week 2.

The running game has yet to get untracked. The offensive line was poor one game and better the next.

If the long-awaited return of Andrew Thomas at left tackle actually materializes, it could be a big boost and a stabilizer up front. It remains to be seen if Thomas can handle a full load in his first game coming off an extensive rehab from foot surgery.

Rookie Marcus Mbow was impressive last week at left tackle replacing struggling James Hudson III.

Cam cometh: Is this the beginning of a Cam Skattebo takeover at running back?

The high-strung rookie is clearly a favorite of the coaching staff, and his 24-yard run, followed by a 1-yard rushing touchdown last week, could elevate himself in the pecking order.

Second-year Tyrone Tracy Jr. has yet to get going.

“He’s running hard, so it will give him a few more opportunities,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said of Skattebo. “He has a great personality, a great way about him. He’s still perfecting his craft. But he brings it with such energy and enthusiasm that he continues to kind of ignite guys around him as well.”

Paul’s pick

There is no baseline to determine what the Giants will put on the field, other than a weakness in stopping the run and an inability to figure out a way to win a close game.

Patrick Mahomes has been-there, done-that in these prime time games, and he figures to bust out in a big way sometime soon.

Here is the bottom line: Can you actually envision the Giants dropping the Chiefs to 0-3?

Chiefs 27, Giants 16