Week 12: Defense Wins Championships 

After last week’s tough loss to the Colts, Coach Burn talked all week with his team about the topic of giving up. The season is not over and even though they have 7 losses on the season anything can still happen. They need to focus on one game at a time and the game this week is versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is one of the fastest guys in the league and when he gets out of the pocket he can make plays with his arm or legs. The game plan in this week’s game was to contain Murray, and set up the deep passing game. 

The Giants offensive game plan this season has mostly failed due to not sticking with it when they get down in games. This game played differently as the Giants stuck with their game plan and it produced one of their most productive games on the season. They were able to score when they needed to while the defense for the most part contained Kyler Murray forcing him into multiple bad throws. The Giants were able to win the game 41-23. 

Daniel Jones played very well except for one interception in which he tried to playmaker his receiver in the open field, only to have the receiver not move and the ball fall in the lap of safety Baker. Jones commanded the offense, throwing for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 attempts. He also added a rushing touchdown. The rushing attack of Jones, Ealy, and Barkley produced 171 yards and 2 touchdowns. This was easily the most successful they have been rushing the football in a long time. Both sides of the offense finally put together a great game and not shockingly it led to a win. 

The defense was gouged for yards, however, when it came time for them to step up they did. They forced Murray to throw 5 interceptions on 32 attempts. Murray did out run some containments but overall he did exactly what the Giants needed. They didn’t have any sacks, but the pressure resulted in 4 different defensive players intercepting the ball. As the season continues on, the defense will need to play just like this if they want a chance to get into the playoffs. 

The Giants currently sit at 4-7 and while they are still in the wildcard race, one more loss will most likely knock them out of playoff contention. They know that each will work be playoff or bust and going forward they will need to play smart football in order to succeed. Next week they take on one of the best rosters in the league in the Pittsburgh Steelers.