The first round of voting for the Pro Bowl was released last week and Saquon Barkley was not among the top-10 NFL running backs.
Given his name recognition, this is somewhat a surprise. Given that his 697 rushing yards is only 13th in the league, Barkley’s modest attention thus far is certainly not shocking.
“I can get why I’m not in the top 10, missing three games and there are a lot of backs that are playing well, and it’s the first round of it,’’ Barkley said. “So, hopefully, I can finish the season off strong enough to just get myself in there.’’
Barkley heading into Monday night’s game against the Packers was more concerned with the lackluster support for teammate Dexter Lawrence, who is having another outstanding season — he grades out as the No. 1 interior defensive player in the league, according to Pro Football Focus — but was not among the top-10 defensive tackles in the early voting.
“Dexter Lawrence not being in there doesn’t make any sense to me,’’ Barkley said. “So, I don’t care about it too much for myself, but Dex is one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Him not being in there, you’ve got to do better Giants fans, for sure.’’
Perhaps Barkley can get untracked Monday night as the Packers are 30th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 136.3 yards per game — and have given up 140 or more yards in four consecutive games.
Barkley is averaging 77.4 yards per game. If he keeps up that pace in the remaining five games, he will finish the season with 1,084 rushing yards.
Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary leads the Packers with nine sacks and 17 quarterback hits and goes up against right tackle Tyre Phillips, who will make his sixth start this season in place of injured Evan Neal.
Phillips gave up two sacks against the Cowboys in Week 10 — the only sacks he has allowed this season. Gary, from Plainfield, N.J., starred at Paramus Catholic High School.
Second-year CB Cor’Dale Flott did something in college that none of his Giants teammates ever did: Flott played against Packers QB Jordan Love.
Flott was a freshman at LSU when he went against Love, who played at Utah State.
It was one of those early-season, non-conference mismatches won by LSU, 42-6, in 2019.
Love struggled, completing only 15 of 30 passes for 130 yards and three interceptions.
LSU went on to win the national championship.
“I know we won, of course,’’ Flott said. “He was a good quarterback. Just a great player, good arm, good accuracy, everything you look for in a quarterback he got. He gave us an impression, it jumped off the tape and we knew we had to be ready.’’
Lawrence (hamstring) is the most vital of the five players the Giants list as questionable to play.
The others are DT A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring), LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (illness) and WR Parris Campbell (knee). For the Packers, starting LB Quay Walker (shoulder) is doubtful.
Other key players listed as doubtful include RB Aaron Jones (knee) and CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder).
Jones has played in only seven games this season and has been supplanted by AJ Dillon as the top running back. He is averaging only 3.5 yards per rushing attempt.
