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Giants Week 2 Recap: WTF to OMG; back to WTF

Photo: ESPN


I had high hopes for "The New York Football Giants", not only for this week but for the season. My blood pressure was through-the-roof, way too high, for this Sunday afternoon. There were a lot of lows and very few bright spots, but overall this was an awful game. The final score was 17-13. The Giants made it all the way to the endzone with a few seconds left on the clock, but could not complete the comeback.


Going 0-2 absolutely sucks. I'll get into why we are 0-2 with the pros and cons below. What's worse about this loss is the news about star running back. Saquon Barkley was carted off the field in the first quarter. He took a hit and immediately grabbed his right knee in serious pain. He is currently going through X-Rays and MRI's, but the fear is he tore his ACL. Absolutely brutal. This is heartbreaking if true. Not only is he is one of the league's best, but he is also the soul of the offense. No Saquon, no powerhouse Giants offense. I would donate my league to Saquon if I could. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to Saquon. Let's hope for the best.

Pros

I am not going to sugarcoat this, there wasn't much positivity found in this game. The offense was lackluster, the OL couldn't help generate a run game and they allowed more pressures to the QB, Gano wasn't on his A-game, it was just brutal. The run defense was no amazing, but the pass rush and secondary held their own.


The Pass Rush

Blake Martinez continues his tear, with 8 total tackles and a sack. Kyle Fackrell and BJ Hill both recorded sacks as well. Oshane Zimines and Julian Love added two tackle for losses, with the team total reaching 7. The defense also hit Tribusky an additional 5 times.


The Secondary

Many considered the Giants secondary to be the team's weakest link, but they have been quite impressive. Darnay Holmes and Issac Yiadom looked improved from last week. Logan Ryan has been efficient. But the big cheers of the game go to Julian Love and James Bradbury. Bears Quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, went 18-fo-28 for 190 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Julian Love and James Bradbury both intercepted Trubisky which led to a two Graham Gano field goals. Bradbury's was quite a highlight-reel play, as he ripped the ball right out of Allen Robinson's hands.


Cons


Stupid Mistakes

You cannot win football games with such avoidable mistakes. Evan Engram is making me rip my hair out. If all of these plays did not occur, the team would have won without a problem. Daniel Jones's turnovers are still an issue clearly.


Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones was sacked in the first quarter, which resulted in a turnover. This led to a Bears field goal. In the second quarter, Jones threw a pass up the middle that was intended for Evan Engram. The Tight End slipped on the play giving Deon Bush a gift on an interception. The turnovers are what killed Jone's rookie season. In 2020, the second-year quarterback has given up four turnovers in two games. Not good.


Missed Opportunites

The Giants only reached inside the Bears territory on two possessions in the first half. None of which were in the red zone. The two interceptions by Love and Bradbury only ended up in field goals. If the defense turns the balls over, the offense better get the ball and score 7, not 3 points. The Giants finally put together their best drive of the game at the end of the third quarter. New York started at its own five-yard line and drove all the way down the field to complete an 11-play, 95-yard drive, which resulted in a Dion Lewis one-yard rush to score.


With the team trailing by 4 in the fourth, the Giants needed some luck. The Bears attempted a 50-yard field goal with just over two minutes left in the game, but kicker Cairo Santos missed it. The Giants converted two fourth downs on their final drive of the game to move all the way up to the Bears’ 10-yard line. Sadly, this was not enough, as, on the last play of the game, Golden Tate was called for offensive pass interference. New York lost 17-13, as time expired.



What's next?

I don't want to say the season is over and let's set our sights to the upcoming draft, but I am not feeling optimistic. If Saquon is out and the offense continues to fall apart piece by piece, then I am not looking forward to the next couple of months.


Next week, we face another tough opponent. The San Francisco 49ers face the Giants at home on Sunday. The 49ers are banged up right now worse than us right now. George Kittle is fighting an undisclosed knee injury, which kept him out this week. Quarterback Jimmy Garopppolo has an ankle sprain that may keep him sidelined for over a month. Both defensive stars, Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas are in the same boat as Saquon, with "possible" torn ACL's. Overall, week 2 was a grim reaper around the league. Dozens of big-name players sustained serious injuries.


The Giants have an opportunity to take advantage of the weakened 49ers. They need this win desperately. The Giants remain the underdog but have to put up a fight and win week 3. If the Giants lose and hold an 0-3 record, players and coaches' jobs are going to get questioned.


If Saquon and Sterling Shepard are out with injuries, and Evan Engram continues his sub-par play, there are some free agents who can help turn the Giants around.


- RB Devonta Freeman: The former Falcon is only 28 years old and overages about 4.5 YPC over his 950 career attempts. He is versatile and scores not only the ground but in the passing game too.


- WR Taylor Gabriel: He was cut by the Bears back in February, but can still be a decent deep threat option. He averaged 16.5 yards per catch back in Atlanta, and over 12 while with Chicago.


- TE Delanie Walker: Although on the older side, Walker still has gas left in the tank. From 2014-2017, he hit a minimum of 800 yards and 3 TDS in all of those seasons. The past two years saw injuries but his football IQ and locker room presence could be important.


I am liking how the defense is playing, but if they want to compete they should look to bring back some former guys who fans would love to see a reunion. DL Damon Harrison and CB Prince Amukamara would be two veterans the Giants can utilize to mentor their young core, while still offering competitive play.



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