#Preview, predictions, what to watch for

Paul’s pick

Even at their lowest points, the Giants have been able to beat Washington. Daniel Jones is 2-0 with six touchdown passes and — get this — no fumbles in his two starts in this series. If the Giants cannot hold down the Kyle Allen attack, something is wrong. Can’t lose ’em all, right?

Giants 24, Washington 13

Marquee matchup

Washington DE Chase Young vs. Giants LT Andrew Thomas

This could be the first of a decades-long duel between these two. Young went No. 2 overall in the 2020 draft and is a prototypical menacing edge rusher. He has 2.5 sacks and missed the last game with a groin injury. Just the Giants’ luck that Young is back. He has 10 tackles, two quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

Thomas is not coming off a strong showing and is getting beat on inside moves, which severely limited where Daniel Jones can step up in the pocket.

“I’m sure Andrew’s gonna be fired up for it,’’ offensive line coach Marc Colombo said. “I’m sure they’ll both be fired up for it. I don’t think I’m gonna have to push him extra this week. But he’ll be ready for the challenge.’’

Four downs

Man down: This is the first time in three years the Giants will have to go an extended period without Lorenzo Carter (ruptured left Achilles tendon). Carter as a rangy outside linebacker is certainly not a feared player, but he was the best the Giants put on the field. This means more Markus Golden, last year’s sack leader with 10. Kyler Fackrell, a smart free-agent signing from the Packers, played 65 of the 66 snaps on defense last week, and he will have to ready himself for every-down action in Carter’s absence.

“I think that will be the plan moving forward, at least that’s what I’m preparing for,’’ said Fackrell, who had a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cowboys. “I don’t mind it. I would prefer to be on the field.’’

Seventh heaven: Just like that, rookie Tae Crowder got 74 percent of the defensive snaps last week at inside linebacker. Consider this the ongoing quest to find someone at this spot. Crowder, out of Georgia, was the 255th player taken in the draft, making him “Mr. Irrelevant,’’ though for now he is relevant for the Giants.

“His biggest thing is he needs to get a little more play strength, continue to gain weight,’’ inside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer said of the 235-pound Crowder. David Mayo was activated off injured reserve and adds some muscle.

Nothing to gaffe about: Here is the thing with the Giants: They cannot afford to give away points or fail to secure points because of brutal mistakes. They are not talented enough to recover. They coughed away seven points last week when a Daniel Jones fumble was returned for a touchdown. It was a blind-side hit on Jones, but he has to do better.

“That was the perfect storm,’’ quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski said. “On some of those plays, when they get you I think it’s our responsibility to understand when you’re got and just kind of say, ‘It’s over,’ and try to cover it up as best we can and go down.’’

Familiar face: Some guys never seem to get old. Can it be Landon Collins is just 26? The Giants’ second-round pick in 2015 is in his sixth NFL season and, after so much winning in college at Alabama, is entangled in losing in the NFL. He was 25-39 with the Giants and is 4-17 in his 21 games since signing a six-year, $84 million deal with Washington. Collins is third on his team in tackles with 32, including three for losses, and has one interception after not getting any last year. This is not exactly high drama — though Collins last year in his first game against the Giants nearly came to blows with his replacement, Jabrill Peppers.