The New York Giants were once again embarrassed on national television, losing to the Seattle Seahawks by the score of 24-3 while their offense struggled. The Giants had eleven days in between their week three and week four matchups to correct their mistakes. It got worse. The Giants have hit rock bottom and right now, there are no answers for a team that is in freefall.
There are minimal positives and a plethora of negatives. For a Giants team that improved on paper across the board, they cannot be this bad four weeks into the season. Can the season be saved, or is it too late?
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The Offense Is Not Competitive
The New York Giants offense is not scaring anyone in the NFL. The Seahawk’s defense is a unit that is struggling thus far in the season. They had just allowed Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Carolina offense to throw for 361 yards and two touchdowns. This is a defense that is susceptible to giving up big plays, yet they played like the old Legion of Boom. They sacked Quarterback Daniel Jones eleven times and forced three turnovers.
Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon had a career day, logging seven tackles, two sacks, four pressures, and a back-breaking 97-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Giant’s margin for error is meniscal on offense, they cannot afford to make mistakes, even when the score is within reach. The offense had no answers for a defense that was all over them every snap.
Through four weeks, the Giants offense has yet to score a touchdown in the first half, it is completely unacceptable. The offensive line can’t block, the wide receivers can’t get open, and the Quarterback is seeing ghosts. Last year, this Giants offense schemed up solid play calls, keeping defenses on their toes. The league has caught up and now they are suffocating this offense, which looks like it belongs in the XFL. Offensively, this team has no identity. The offense had the opportunity to showcase something positive, instead, it was a disaster. There are too many questions at the moment for this Giants offense.
The Defense Improved Slightly
There was a positive last night, the defense played better. The EDGE rushers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux were active against a beat-up Seahawks offensive line unit. Giants fans have been waiting to see Ojulari and Thibodeaux play together at full health and their production as a duo was on display.
The tackling improved from the week prior, but there are still growing pains within the unit. The Giant’s own first-round rookie cornerback, Tae Banks, had a tough task covering D.K. Metcalf, giving up a touchdown in the process. Banks, however, limited him to just 3 catches and 34 yards.
Still, there are moments where the defense has lapses in communication, and players are left wide open. Quarterback Drew Lock, came in briefly, in relief of Quarterback Geno Smith, who was nursing an ankle injury late in the first half. Lock found Tight End Noah Fant wide-open for a 51-yard gain that set up Running Back Kenneth Walker for an easy touchdown. There were moments when the defense couldn’t apply pressure against an offensive line that was down four starters. The explosive Miami Dolphins offense is waiting for them in week five.
Coaches Need To Be Held Accountable
The Giants special teams unit had six penalties charged against them. Special teams coach Thomas McGaughey continues to be employed and has survived three different head coaches. Changes must be made there. Offensive Line Coach, Bobby Johnson is single-handedly sinking the ship for this Giants Offense. The quality of play at the offensive line is not to the NFL standard, and it starts with Johnson. Look for the Giants to improve the quality of coaching along the offensive line.
During the broadcast, Troy Aikman mentioned that the Giants have drafted more offensive linemen than any of the other 31 teams in the last couple of years. Yet, they have the worst unit. It is fundamentally broken from top to bottom.
Coach Brian Daboll needs to give his players and fanbase a reason to believe that things will get better. He needs to start that process by making changes to the personnel, and it has to happen fast. Fans thought the Giants hit rock bottom before, this is a new level that is leaving fans shell-shocked. The Miami Dolphins are next.
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