The Giants fell to 0-6 on the season for the first time since the 1976 season as a last gasp attempt to right the season’s ship fell just short in a 27-21 loss in Chicago.
Turnovers are Crippling: It doesn’t matter who is at fault at this point. The Giants have a complete inability to hold on to the football. It seems that even the smart plays end up in the waiting hands of defenders. Add complete miscommunication between Manning and his receivers –which happens way too often for where they are in the season– it’s an epidemic that has shattered the season all the way back to the opening play from scrimmage in Dallas. The turnovers are the main reason why the Giants are awful. They will not win a game until they stop making things easy for their opponents. Another three interceptions are added to Manning’s line, including a pick-six that essentially was the difference in the game. It sounds like a cliche by now, but you can’t win this way.
Brandon Jacobs Lives: One of the bright spots tonight was the return of the Giants running game, which was spearheaded by Jacobs (22/106/2 TDs). The Giants took advantage of some injuries along Chicago’s defensive line and turned in the best run game of the season.
Jon Beason Had an Excellent Debut: The newly-acquired Giant looked very much like the player that the Panthers drafted in the first round in 2007. Chipping in with twelve tackles, he was all over the field for a Giants defense that has actually been playing considerably better as of late. Though you’d be forgiven if you didn’t know it. And they held the Bears to less than thirty points, so the talking heads near and far can put that ignominious stat to bed.
But About Rueben Randle…: His numbers were solid (3/75 YDs/1 TD), but he had three huge mental errors; two of which may have cost the Giants the game with the contest not even five minutes old. On both interceptions in the first quarter, Randle was the intended receiver, and both times he was not where he needed to be. The third mistake was the “give-up” play that Victor Cruz brought to light a few seasons ago. Randle got lucky and got the benefit of the doubt, but c’mon, that’s a fumble. While some people might are justifiably miffed at Brandon Myers for allowing a catchable ball to sail right through his hands for the essential clinching turnover, Randle has to endure most of the blame for the inexcusable mental errors.
Coughlin Watch Takes an Odd Turn: If you were watching the NFL Network pregame show, both Ian Rapoport and Michael Silver had slightly conflicting reports on Tom Coughlin’s future according to their sources. Rapoport said that it is Coach Coughlin’s decision no matter what, whereas Silver reports that if the Giants bottom out to a one or two win season, that “all bets would be off” on Coughlin’s job security. For what it’s worth, CBS Sport’s Jason LaCanfora suggested that Coughlin may not even want to return after all is said and done. Whatever the case, the next few weeks and months are certainly going to be interesting to watch on that front.
Up Next: The Giants will take their “mini-bye” as they will take a few extra days to clear their heads and reset for the rest of the season. They host the Vikings on Monday Night Football on October 21.
