NY Giants: These 4 hot topics are top of mind in advance of Washington game

EAST RUTHERFORD - Remember the old adage about spotting the mark at the poker table: if you can't spot one, it's probably you.

Well, for six games, the New York Giants have been waiting for the schedule to lighten up with five losses in six weeks, all to teams that were in the playoffs a year ago.

There's one thing about the Giants' schedule presumably turning in their favor - finally - beginning Sunday at MetLife Stadium against Washington: their opponents over the next eight weeks are eyeing Big Blue as a soft landing as well.

The Cowboys (Nov. 12) represent the lone team with a winning record on the slate for the Giants over the next two months. So if there ever was a time for Brian Daboll's squad to find itself in the middle of a woeful 1-5 start, this is it.

Here are the four hottest topics for the Giants in advance of their game against Washington:

QB or no QB? Waiting on Daniel Jones

The Giants worked out free agent quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Ian Book on Monday, and immediately there was speculation on social media about which one they'd sign and what that meant about the status of Daniel Jones and his injured neck.

My initial reaction remained the same Tuesday morning the more I asked around: this was due diligence on the Giants' part, and no signing was imminent, so nothing related to Jones nor the roles for Tyrod Taylor or Tommy DeVito had changed from Sunday night in Buffalo.

It made sense for the Giants to stay proactive and see what’s out there in case of emergency. DeVito reverted back to the practice squad after his game day elevation, and Taylor has a grip on the backup job with a chance to start against Washington if Jones is unable to go.

Jones returned to the practice field Wednesday, but only to throw and move around during positional drills. He is still not cleared for contact, but quarterbacks wear non-contact jerseys in practice regardless. Because of that, unless something changes dramatically over the next 48 hours, Taylor is on track for his second straight start with DeVito being elevated to back him up Sunday against Washington.

"Obviously still dealing with some of the symptoms from it." Jones said during his weekly interview on the Up & Adams Show on Tuesday. He declined to elaborate on his status, but SNF on NBC's Melissa Stark said during Sunday's broadcast that Jones told her he's feeling pain on the left side of his neck, which is also resonating in his left shoulder.

Jones told Kay Adams he's doing everything he can to heal up and "prove to the doctors and trainers I'm ready to go."

The Giants will have a better idea when they hit the practice field Wednesday after Jones missed all three sessions last week

The O-Line shuffle continues

The Giants made two offensive line additions to the 53-man roster Tuesday and the one we anticipated happened Wednesday morning. They signed tackle Josh Miles from the Falcons' practice squad and decided to bring back guard/tackle Tyre Phillips, signing him off the Eagles' practice squad.

Phillips spent last season with the Giants and was a surprising cut at the start of the season.

Then Wednesday morning, Justin Pugh was signed to the 53-man roster. After 77 snaps as a game day elevation Sunday, Pugh reverted back to the practice squad before earning a deal to join the active roster Wednesday.

The Giants placed Joshua Ezeudu (toe) on injured reserve; he started five games at left tackle with Andrew Thomas (hamstring) sidelined since Week 1. Meanwhile, Jalen Mayfield cleared waivers and he re-signed on the practice squad.

Andrew Thomas (hamstring), John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and Evan Neal (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, meaning the Giants could be without three starters against one of the best defensive fronts in football. If Neal does not play, Phillips could be at right tackle. Pugh could be at left tackle for Thomas and Ben Bredeson will continue to start at center. Schmitz is expected to miss his third straight game, while Thomas has not played since Week 1.

When will the TD-less streak end?

The Giants have not scored an offensive touchdown in 205 minutes of game action dating back to Week 3 against the 49ers when Matt Breida found pay dirt. That can't continue if they are going to snap a four-game losing streak against Washington.

It's a sack party

The only team that has allowed more sacks than the Giants this season is the Commanders. This is a challenge to the defensive fronts, of course. The group that plays best might determine the outcome, and the tandem of Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams had its most dominant game against the Bills.

Kayvon Thibodeaux has four of the Giants' league low five sacks this season.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants QB, OL questions highlight hot topics before Washington game