Andrew Luck has already made two Pro Bowls in two career seasons.
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The Giants have a third opportunity to make things right with their new offense Saturday in Indianapolis.
Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s scheme hasn’t popped in the Giants’ first two preseason games, with Eli Manning completing just 6-of-9 passes for 43 yards, one fumble and no touchdowns. The first team’s only touchdown in either game was a 73-yard run by Rashad Jennings last time out.
No one expected the offense to be explosive right out of the gate, but the first-team offense should get a little more extended play this time out, so they’ll be expected to show something soon.
Metro takes a look at three storylines to watch as the Giants travel to Indianapolis for their third preseason game (7 p.m., NBC4).
1. Nick of time
Giants fans might not be enthusiastic with how starting wide receivers Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle have looked so far, but they don’t need to miss Hakeem Nicks. The Giants will see their old friend who signed with Indy in the offseason, but he’s struggled badly and fallen on the depth chart. T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne are ahead of him and Donte Montcrief has surpassed him as well. Nicks had one catch for 15 yards in the Colts’ preseason opener against the Jets.
2. Feeling Lucky
Andrew Luck is turning into one of the few No. 1 overall picks at quarterback to live up to the hype. The Colts QB looked good against the Jets last week (4-of-5, 53 yards) and will be a good test for the Giants’ first-team defense. Luck has made the Pro Bowl in both of his two years in the NFL. He threw 23 touchdowns against nine interceptions last year and completed over 60 percent of his passes.
3. Getting a ‘Beat’ on left tackle
While Odell Beckham Jr. is still a question mark, offensive lineman Will Beatty will get his first playing time of the preseason Saturday. The left tackle broke his leg at the end of last season — one in which he struggled badly after a big contract extension in the offseason. Beatty was expected to be the anchor on the offensive line for years to come, so the Giants could have a serious problem if the UConn product can’t return to his 2012 form.
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.
