The Los Angeles Chargers will be making the dreaded west coast team traveling to the east coast for an early kickoff on Sunday. But that might be the only thing going in favor of the New York Giants.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll is attempting to inject some new life into his offense by naming first-round pick Jaxson Dart the team's new starting quarterback. But the undefeated Chargers boast a stingy defense and second-year cornerback Tarheeb Still appears to have a chance to become one of the league's best at some point.
Still has worked his way into a starting job in L.A. and he could help make Dart's debut as a starter a bad memory.
Still is becoming a complete cornerback for the Chargers as his tackling has stood out in year two, but he has tremendous ball skills. He showed that off in a game against the Atlanta Falcons last season where he had two interceptions, returning one 61 yards for a touchdown. That led to him being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Week.
If Dart comes in overconfident and feels that he can make all of the plays with his arm talent, Still is exactly the kind of player who can make him pay for that. He could bait him into an interception in this game and a play like that could end up being the difference.
Omar Navarro of the team's official website highlighted Still as a player to watch in this game and had this to say:
"The strides in the second-year cornerback's game have been apparent in the early part of the season.
Still has put on more strong performances in this early portion of the season and has played the most snaps among the cornerbacks so far.
His ball skills are well-known — Still led the Chargers with four interceptions as a rookie — but the biggest area that has flashed for him through three weeks is his development as a tackler.
Still heads into the week second on the team with 13 solo tackles, trailing only Derwin James, Jr. in that department.
"He plays really hard," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said about Still following Week 2. "When you combine that with his mindset this year of, 'I'm going to be a complete DB,' that's pretty special."
While this week will require more of that with Giants running back Cam Skattebo on the other side, it might also be a week where his coverage skills will be necessary.
Entering Week 4, the Giants have two receivers ranked top 12 in the NFL in receiving yards, with Malik Nabers fourth (251) and Wan'Dale Robinson 12th (223). Nabers has operated mostly out wide on both sides, while Robinson lines up mainly in the slot.
These are two areas where Still has seen a lot of action in, as he has played 92 snaps as the outside cornerback and 76 in the slot so far through three weeks.
There's an element of the unknown with New York heading into Week 4 given that Jaxson Dart will be starting his first NFL game, but Still and the Bolts secondary will be tested through the air regardless with multiple receiving threats on the other side."
It will be interesting to see how the Chargers' offense travels in this early time slot, but this game should be one with a growing defense taking advantage of an inexperienced rookie and guys like Still should shine in doing so.
Read: What do the Chargers have in common with the 2006 Chicago Bears?
More Chargers Content
Chargers vs. Giants Series History: The curse of Eli Manning lives on
NFL Picks, Predictions Week 4: Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Giants
Los Angeles Chargers will create more quarterback history with New York Giants
NFL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Chargers crash into top 5 following 3-0 start
Los Angeles Chargers are in great company after pulling off rare feat