By Dan Duggan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Giants will deploy their seventh different starting offensive line in 10 games on Sunday against the Chiefs. With right tackle Justin Pugh out with a back injury, rookie Chad Wheeler is set to make his first career start, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Bobby Hart opened the season as the starting right tackle, but an ankle injury coupled with poor play has allowed Wheeler to jump him on the depth chart. The Giants already had to move Pugh from left guard to right tackle due to Hart's injury and ineffectiveness.

Here's a look at some of the news and notes from the week:

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Welcome to the NFL!

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Wheeler is understandably excited about making his first career start, although that enthusiasm could be dampened after he matches up with Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston, who has 7.5 sacks this season.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Wheeler had played exclusively at left tackle before signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. The Giants are excited about the USC product, with coach Ben McAdoo referencing Wheeler's "high ceiling" on Friday.

"Very athletic, has the feet that you like that you’ve seen all through training camp," offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said. "We saw that in some of his preseason games and there’s a, believe it or not, unlike most of the typical southern Californians, 'too cool, surfer-type,' he’s got a mean streak to him and you see that at times. He’s progressing nicely."

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Cover 3 beaters

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Week 9:

.@rams @JaredGoff16 call an audible v Cover 3 and takes a shot. Post-Dig is a popular Cover 3 beater. With extra protection Watkins got behind Collins #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Ldf2ogOMey — Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 8, 2017

Week 10:

.@Giants please explain how this franchise with your talent can put this on tape. There is no emoji that is sad enough or angry enough to explain this #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/nHB4s9DjhG — Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 14, 2017

Opponents have discovered a major weakness in a Giants coverage scheme. The Rams and 49ers ran strikingly similar route concepts to exploit a Cover 3 look in the past two games.

Two weeks ago, the Rams had one receiver run a deep crossing route while wide receiver Sammy Watkins ran a deep post. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie read the routes and picked up the crosser, passing Watkins off to strong safety Landon Collins. Collins got caught with his eyes in the wrong place and Watkins easily got behind him for a 67-yard touchdown.

The 49ers ran a similar route concept last week, except quarterback C.J. Beathard hit wide receiver Louis Murphy on a wide-open crossing route for a 40-yard gain. It looked like the mistake was made by cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who, unlike Rodgers-Cromartie in the previous game, ran deep with his receiver on a post route rather than passing him off to free safety Darian Thompson and staying home to cover the zone that Murphy entered. The linebackers also didn't help matters by failing to get any depth on their drops after biting on a play-fake.

This is basic football and the Giants are continue to get beat physically and mentally.

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What a difference a year makes

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Ben Margot | AP Photo

The Giants' defense has completely collapsed in the past two games, allowing a combined 82 points. To put that in perspective, the Giants allowed a total of 84 points in the final six games of the regular season last year. The Giants had the No. 2 scoring defense in the NFL last season, allowing 284 points in 16 games. They've surrendered 238 points in nine games this season.

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The 24-point barrier

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Ben Margot | AP Photo

The Giants' offense failed to top 28 points last season. The threshold is even lower this season, as they haven't scored more than 24 points in a game. The Giants are averaging 16.7 points, which is tied for 28th in the NFL. The Giants finished 26th in scoring last season after averaging 19.4 points per game.

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Injury report

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Flowers blooming

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Brad Mills | USA TODAY Sports

Giants left tackle Ereck Flowers hasn't allowed a sack since getting abused by Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah for three sacks in Week 2. Flowers hasn't allowed a sack in 282 pass-blocking snaps, which is the longest streak in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

"Ereck is a young player who’s improving tremendously," McAdoo said. "He’s working at his craft. He seems to be taking a step each week. He still has a ways to go fundamentally, just like everybody else playing in this league, and he’s still a young player, so he has a lot of upside."

It appears that Flowers has widened his alignment and adjusted his stance to be in better position to deal with speed rushers. A side effect of that change is worse run-blocking, which had been Flowers' strength.

"I don’t think one is tied to the other," McAdoo said. "You only have so much time on the practice field, I get that part of it. But the left tackle’s No. 1 job is to block the defensive end in pass protection. But he’s a very capable and willing run-blocker."

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Better without Odell?

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There have been some takes this week that part of the Giants' turmoil stems from the fact that McAdoo failed to discipline Odell Beckham Jr. for some of the receiver's antics. While that point may be debatable, there's no denying Beckham's talent. So, it was somewhat odd when Sullivan was asked for his reaction to the belief that the Giants would be better off without Beckham.

"Would it be better without Odell Beckham Jr.?" Sullivan asked incredulously. "I want to keep a straight face to that question, but Odell Beckham Jr. is a phenomenal talent. I mean, he’s a playmaker. He’s a guy that creates and can, as we’ve all seen, take those slants and take a five-yard catch for an 80-yard touchdown run. He’s a guy that really does a lot from a defensive standpoint to dictate coverage and change the game plan.

"I think if we could continue to do some of the things we’re trying to do in the run game and you have some of the development of an Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard continues to be the type of player he is and we’re able to get some consistency running the football, I mean that would be just a huge addition. So, I couldn’t disagree more with any notion that we’re a better offense without him. That’s – I wouldn’t agree with it. I’ll leave it at that."

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Never negative

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Ezra Shaw | Getty Images

A big reason that Giants running back Orleans Darkwa is sixth in the NFL in yards per carry (5.1 ypc) is that he's always going forward. Darkwa has only had negative rushes on seven percent of his carries, which is the third-lowest rate in the NFL, according to ESPN.

"Just hard-nosed," Darkwa said when asked to describe his running style. "I feel like I can make people miss when need be, but just more so a north-south guy and try to minimize the negative yardage, get as many yards as I can and go on to the next play."

That style has also made Darkwa one of the most productive backs in the league after contact. He is averaging 3.4 yards after contact per attempt, which ranks fifth-best in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

Darkwa rarely gets brought down by one defender, which is the biggest difference from Paul Perkins, who was ineffective as the starter in the first four games of the season.

"Once (the offensive line) can get me a hole or something that I can see, I just try to put my head down and get my legs churning," Darkwa said. "I think that’s something that I’ve tried to pride myself in. Try to get north-south as much as possible, as fast as possible and once there’s a guy that gets his hands on me, just keep your legs churning. So, that’s something I’ve tried to pride myself on."

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Thrown into the fire

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Justin Edmonds | Getty Images

Giants rookie defensive end Avery Moss had never played linebacker in his life. But with the Giants missing three of their top linebackers last week, Moss found out on Tuesday that he'd be playing strong side linebacker against the 49ers. Moss, who is still learning the ins and outs at defensive end, had to spend extra time cramming with coaches and starting strong side linebacker Devon Kennard, who was out with a quad injury. Moss, who had two tackles in 36 snaps, admitted to being uncomfortable at the foreign position. He was happy to return to defensive end this week with Kennard expected to play against the Chiefs.

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Jenkins doesn't care about critics

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Still No. 3

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Julio Cortez | AP Photo

Rookie quarterback Davis Webb remains third on the depth chart behind starter Eli Manning and backup Geno Smith. Quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti said on Friday that Webb's practice reps haven't increased as the season has progressed, so the third-round pick continues to only work with the scout team.

It's puzzling that the 1-8 Giants haven't promoted Webb to No. 2 quarterback to put him in position to get action late in a lopsided game, which could be coming against the Chiefs on Sunday. While this was always considered a developmental year for Webb, it's difficult to ignore other rookie quarterbacks drafted after him getting opportunities.

C.J. Beathard, who was selected 17 spots after Webb in the third round, has made four starts for the 49ers. Beathard carved up the Giants on Sunday, completing 19-of-25 passes for 288 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Nathan Peterman, who was picked in the fifth round, will start for the 5-4 Bills on Sunday.

But the Giants remain committed to their plan to keep Webb on the bench, even though they admit that it would help their evaluation if he was to get game action.

"Of course," Cignetti said. "You can get a fuller evaluation of anybody with game action."

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Good sport

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James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Offensive lineman Justin Pugh is the Giants' nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Each team nominates a player for the award, which recognizes players who "exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field." The winner is determined by a vote of current players. The winner, who will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice, will be announced the night before the Super Bowl.

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Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.