.png)
Another devastating loss in week 2 and the Giants are quickly 0-2 heading into the toughest part of their schedule.
Here we are yet again. For the 10th time in 12 seasons, the Giants begin another season 0-2. The offense looked a bit better against Washington with three touchdowns, but the defense couldn't keep points off the board. Washington scored seven times - albeit entirely on field goals - when in Giants territory. They now head to Cleveland for a 1pm tilt this Sunday.
Bobby Okereke & Deonte Banks in week 2 // Giants.com
Giants Defense
There was an expectation that the defense would see some sort of improvement heading into this season. The Giants hired new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, brought in Brian Burns, and drafted rookies Tyler Nubin and Dru Phillips to bolster the secondary. After two weeks, the defense has lacked any sort of flair, has surrendered 49 points, and still can't stop the run, ranking 28th in the league in that category. Bowen was brought in to stop the run and help take some pressure off the secondary, but it is evident through two weeks that he and his guys aren't getting the job done.
Now, they head to Cleveland where they will face Deshaun Watson and a dual threat running attack consisting of Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Last week, the Browns ran for 125 yards on the Jaguars, and they will look to replicate that performance on what has been a porous Giants run defense so far.
I thought the Giants were much better defending the pass last week against Jayden Daniels, forcing him to run more often than not. Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin had just six catches for 22 yards while primarily being defended by Deonte Banks. After a tough first week against Justin Jefferson, Banks got back to his lockdown ways in week 2. The Giants are middle of the pack in passing yards allowed per game (18th per Covers.com) and gave up just 210 passing yards to the Commanders last week.
Dru Phillips and Micah McFadden were the other notable bright spots for the Giants last week, as they racked up 12 and 13 tackles, respectively. Each picked up a sack on elusive runner Jayden Daniels and combined for three QB hits. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Phillips has played 65% of all defensive snaps in the first two games and McFadden played almost 80% in his first game back from injury. Bowen needs to keep both of them on the field as much as possible as their impact last week should not go unnoticed and they will need to be relied on in a tough battle against the Browns.
Offensive Line vs Myles Garrett and Browns front
The Giants offensive line has been a breath of fresh air over the first two weeks. For once, the big bodies up front aren't a major problem for this team. It's clear that Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan, John Michael Schmitz, Greg Van Roten, Jermaine Eluemunor and tight ends Theo Johnson and Chris Manhertz are starting to gel together. Last week, Devin Singletary ran for 95 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry as the offensive line consistently created lanes for him to run through. To cap off their first drive of the game, Singletary was given the ball in Washington's red zone territory and took it to the house. Manhertz (#85) motions over and lines up to the right of Eluemunor (#72) and both take care of business on their assignments leading to the Singletary touchdown. This is the type of gelling we want to see from the line, taking care of business and keeping the defense on their toes.
This week's test should prove to be a challenge when the line takes on Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Za'Darius Smith and the rest of Jim Schwartz' talented defense. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Garret ranks in the top ten in pass rush win rate and Tomlinson is number 1 in run stop win rate. Cleveland, as a team, ranks ninth in pass rush win rate and 13th in run stop win rate meaning that they are winning their matchups against opposing offensive lines at a higher clip than most other teams in the league. This will ultimately be a test for Brian Daboll's team in corralling the pressure and skill that the Browns bring.
As the weeks go on, I believe we will see the Giants offensive line continue to get better and better as the game reps increase and they become familiar with with each other's tendencies. Health will be a factor here, but if they can manage to stay on the field I don't see why they can't rank in the top-10 of offensive lines in the league. A man can dream though, and time will tell.
Giants X-Factor
Brian Daboll. Hot seat rumors are beginning to fly around as the team yet again starts another season 0-2. This is year three with Brian Daboll under the helm, and he is already feeling the seat start to warm up a little bit. I am by no means suggesting he will be out of a job come 2025, but his conservative playcalling in week 1 coupled with not being prepared and having a backup kicker ready to go in week 2 after Graham Gano was injured on the opening kickoff are cause for some increased hot seat buzz.
Per Jordan Raanan on the Breaking Blue Podcast this week "I've spoken to some guys over the past few days and some of them - not all of them - have said it's starting to get shaky in there." Raanan is referring to the Giants locker room and the confidence some players have in Daboll may be waning if they don't get back on track and start to win some games. An arduous stretch of their schedule is coming up - where the Giants will be the underdog in all matchups - and Daboll needs to have his guys prepared to get back on track.
A big road win in Cleveland can be just the thing this team needs to boost their confidence heading into a clash with the Cowboys on TNF in week 4.
Comentarios