After a blowout loss to the Packers, the Giants entire team morale was shot. The offense and the defense couldn’t do anything against the Packers. The team banded together in practice and told each other that they were playing spoiler for the rest of the season and that started with the Saints. The Saints are one of the best offensive teams in the league and Coach Burn created a defensive gameplan to stop the offense. This was a great approach, except the Giants offense couldn’t get it together. Jones and the offense committed 5 turnovers, which started on the first drive of the game with Barkley fumbling in the red zone.
The game went the same after that drive with Jones driving the Giants down the field, only to throw interception after interception. He couldn’t fit these throws over the defenders when his receivers were open. He was not careful with the ball and it resulted in 4 interceptions. The Giants defense kept them in the game, allowing Jones to have one final drive down 21-14. Jones was at midfield with less than a minute to go and made the biggest mistake of the game. He thought Campbell would cut sooner on his route, but he didn’t, and Jones’ throw sailed straight to the defender, ending the game 21-14.
After the game, the defense was very proud to hold the Saints offense to just 21 points. The Giants offense cost them that game and Jones and Coach Burn knew they let one get away. Coach Burn knew that he needed to begrudgingly change the playbook in the next game versus the Eagles.
All week the Giants practiced to stop the league’s best offense. The Eagles are the best offense in the league at 95 overall, boasting a star studded cast that features 6 superstar or better players. They have a superstar quarterback, 2 running backs, 1 offensive lineman, 1 tight end and 1 receiver. Every position group has a player who could be considered the best at their spot. It is a tough matchup for a defense, and one of the reasons the Eagles have the league’s best offense.
WIth the Eagles you have to pick your poison. They are going to get their yards, but you have to try to limit something and be okay with forcing them to beat you somewhere else. The Giants focused on defending the running attack and forcing Hurts to beat them through the air. Hurts has a tendency to make mistakes and they felt that they could take advantage of that. All week Coach Burn talked with Jones about playing it safe with the football and to just not make any huge mistakes that could take them out of the game.
Jones took this to heart as he started the game on fire, hitting Robinson for a RPO touchdown. This was the start of a magical game for Jones. He and Hurts would both score two touchdowns on their first two drives. Jones would make it 3 for 3, putting the Giants up 21-14 late in the second quarter. Hurt would once again drive the length of the field until he got near the redzone. Henry was tackled short on 3rd and 7 and it brought up a 4th and 2. The Eagles decided to go for it, only to have Hurts throw an interception straight to rookie cornerback Banks on the 4 yard line.
That was the first back breaking turnover that Coach Burn knew he needed to have Hurts make. With less than a minute left, Coach Burn was okay with running the ball and getting to the half. Barkley had other plans as he ripped off a 96 yard run to put the Giants up 28-14 going into the half.
The second half was more of the same except for a few key plays. Hurts scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, while Jones tried to answer but missed a wide open receiver on third down which forced a punt. Hurts would once again drive down the field and score a touchdown. This back and forth matchup of offenses would come to a halt after the Giants went up 42-35 in the fourth quarter. Hurts would take the field again, but the Giants defense was ready. Hurts had been stepping up in the pocket all game, so the Giants took notice. Hurts ran forward into the arms of Bashem who made the play of the game. punching the ball out, with Okereke picking up the fumble. Jones and Hyatt would seal the rest of the game with a big catch, then an end around run for a touchdown. Hurts would drive down the field, only to be stopped on the 1 yard line then get sacked the following play, ending the game with a Giant victory 49 -35.
This was huge for a Giants team that was on a losing streak. This was a rivalry game which since the Giants won, gave the entire team a xp boost of 2500. The Giants’ entire season switched up in this game. The offense is known for being one of the worst in the league averaging just 20 points per game, while the defense is known for having good run defense and holding teams to under 30 points a game. This game was a huge change, one which if both units could match each other could be the catalyst for this team to end the season on a winning streak.
Key Injuries:
LT Andrew Thomas – One Quarter
HB Saquon Barkley – One Quarter
HB Matt Breida – One Quarter
At one point the Giants were playing with their third string running back, who happen to step up and come in to score a touchdown
Key Statistics:
QB Daniel Jones: 18/21 337 Yards 4 Touchdowns
Jones played the perfect game, well near perfect except for the few misses. He played his best game as a Giant when the team needed it the most. Jones and the offense needed to score on just about every possession in the game and they did. This is the player the Giants gave 40 million dollars per year to, not the guy who is almost leading the league in interceptions.
HB Saquon Barkley: 18 Rushes 159 Yards 2 Touchdowns, 5 Receptions 51 yards
Barkley had his best game as a Giant this week. He amassed over 200 yards in total, and showed the Giants why they need to re-sign him in the offseason. He was upset that they chose to re-sign Simmons with their 1 in season resign and his display on the field shows that they may have chosen wrong.
WR: Wandale Robinson 3 Receptions 98 Yards 2 Touchdowns
Robinson has been promoted to a starting role with Slayton’s injury and he hasn’t missed a beat. He was lowered to fourth string wide receiver at the beginning of the season, but he didnt let it upset him and is now tied for the highest amount of receiving touchdowns on the time. Robinson was talked about being shopped at the trade deadline but he has proven himself and will be a part of the starting offense in the future.
