Giants vs. Eagles: Five Bold Predictions For Monday Night Football

Larry Donnell Has His First 100 Yard Game

Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;

New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell (84) catches the game winning touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

With the Giants wide receiver corps ailing, someone will need to step up. Victor Cruz’s injury has been an ongoing saga, and now Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle are banged up as well with hamstring injuries. That leaves Eli Manning without many options he is familiar with outside of Larry Donnell, who should reap the benefits.

When Beckham Jr. and Randle were on the sidelines last week on the final drive against the 49ers, Dwayne Harris was the top receiver. Not to slight him, but that is not something that the Giants should be hoping happens again, as recently signed Myles White and rookie Geremy Davis are all there is behind them. Shane Vereen has quickly built up a rapport with Manning, but he will need someone else to step up, and that someone will be Donnell.

Donnell has been a bit of an afterthought for the Giants at times this season, getting lost in the target shuffle. Donnell at times looks like one of the worst tight ends in football, as his ungraceful catches and runs after the ball make people cringe. But then he will go and make a play like he did to catch the game winning pass against the 49ers, going up over a linebacker and safety to pull down a pass in traffic.

While Donnell has some work to do as a blocker, the Giants should take advantage of his skill set and attack up the seams. With Beckham Jr. hampered, the Giants are lacking a big play threat on the outside, but could have one in Donnell over the middle. He has shown an ability at times in the past to open things up in the middle working the seams, and is someone Manning is comfortable throwing the ball too.

Because of the other injuries, the Giants will be counting on someone to step up to replace the production. Donnell will be that guy and he will set a new career-high for receiving yards in a game, passing the 100-yard barrier for the first time in his three-year career.

Next: Who Will Win The Game?