The Giants enter their bye week at 3-9 after suffering their latest loss from the New England Patriots. Jones played a h*** of a game until late in the third quarter, down three, he tried to fit in a ball to Waller but it was jumped and intercepted for a pick 6. This was all she wrote for the Giants as Jones added another interception forcing a ball over top a sub linebacker. Those sub linebackers get different animations and Jones should have known that he couldn’t fit it over that player. What once was a game that was a back and forth where at one point the Giants were up 10 and ended up a 37-24 Patriots victory.
Coach Burn has elected to give the Giants players a nice and relaxing week which resulted in a 10 point morale boost but a -5 awareness hit. Most of the Giants players are at 30 morale at the moment so this will help them for the rest of the season. In the off week, we will take a look at some of the Giants statistics and give quick impressions so far.
Offense
Scheme: West coast Spread
Points: 21 ppg (30)
Total: 320.4 ypg (30)
Passing: 229.3 ypg (18)
Rushing: 91.2 ypg (32)
The offense has been atrocious this season. The offensive line has been shaken up all season, at which point was starting 60 + overalls. This has resulted in non consistent blocking in the run game and pressure throws resulting in turnovers. The turnovers have plagued the Giants season and is a big reason they have been losing games that for the most part, they were keeping close. Barkley has had a decent season despite being the last ranked rushing unit due to the amount of non carries he is getting. He is in his last season as a Giants and is trying to prove to ownership that he wants to be a Giants for life.
Offensive Line Inconsistencies:
LT Thomas 92 OVR: 3 weeks, 3 weeks
RT Neal 73 OVR: 2 weeks, 3 weeks,
LG Pugh 75 OVR: 3 weeks,
RT Norwell 77 OVR 3 weeks
This only includes injuries that weren’t for the game only. The shuffling of good lineman due to injury has hurt the Giants offense. Neal and Thomas both getting hurt multiple times for multi week injuries have put their futures with the Giants in doubt. Both tackles were looked at as the Giants book ends for the Cycle before the season started but with the injury concerns, the Giants may look at other options in free agency or the draft to address this need.
Defense
Scheme: 4-3 Quarters
Points: 28 ppg (18)
Total: 371.8 ypg (16)
Passing: 263.7 ypg (29)
Rushing: 108.2 ypg (3)
Despite the Giants offense being last in nearly every major category, the defense has held its own and is what is keeping them in games. The rush defense is one of the best in the league but the pass defense being one of the worst counteracts this. Once teams realize they can’t run, they stick to the pass where the Giants young defensive backs have trouble covering especially in man coverage. The defense can be seen at times glaring at Jones and the offense when they commit an untimely turnover in most games.
The Giants as a whole have to get it together and play a complete game. In most of their games they are keeping it close into the third and fourth quarter then just having an offensive turnover fest which results in a loss. If the offense can play smart and turnover free football for the whole game, then the defense will win them games. Running the ball and playing good defense is the new philosophy in New York. They have the Packers after the bye and will be looking to kick off the rest of the season with a win versus a great opponent.