So far the Giants are sitting at 3-5 after 8 weeks. In this mini series we will continue to take a look at their record with a brief synopsis of the games and statistics. This will give the league a nice update every few weeks on how the team is doing overall.
Weeks: 1-4 Weeks: 5-8
Points: 24 ppg (31) Points: 31 (25)
Total: 367.5 ypg (23). Total: 409.9 (16)
Passing: 313.5ypg (4). Passing: 349.8 (9)
Rushing: 54 ypg (26) Rushing: 60.1 (30)
The offense has gotten better from the early part of the season. The fact that 31 points per game is in the bottom half of the league shows how much most of the league can’t play defense. The passing game is one of the best in the league which comes to a surprise given a rookie is leading the charge. The rushing game continues to struggle and overall got worse. It seems teams are stacking the box and forcing Dart to beat them through the air.
Weeks: 1-4 Weeks: 5-8
Points: 25 ppg (3) Points: 35 ppg (22)
Total: 327.8 ypg (2) Total: 400 ypg (11)
Passing: 274.5 ypg (7) Passing: 293.1 ypg (11)
Rushing: 53.3 ypg (2) Rushing: 106.9 ypg (19)
The last four weeks have been against 3 great teams in the league, including the undefeated Eagles twice. The defense is the reason that the team is losing games, however, overall yardage is showing that they are one of the better teams in the league. This is a crazy statistic because giving up 400 yards a game shouldn’t be anywhere near top. Is it just that easy to score in this madden or does everyone just suck at defense?
Week 5: 30 Saints – 38 Giants
This Saints team played with everything that they had and they almost came up with the victory in the end. Dart played a perfect game and lead a scoring drive on almost every play. The defense didn’t come to play as the Saints had about 4 one play touchdowns in this game. It came from a variety of plays including screens and rollout throws to an open guy in the middle of the field. The deciding factor came right at the end as Holland was able to force the rookie Shough into a mistake, winning the Giants the game.
Week 6 : Eagles 57 – Giants 29
The first true blowout of the season came from a team that is just much better than the Giants. Barkley was able to take over this game from start to finish and the defense didn’t have an answer. A blitzing approach was taken in order to stop Barkley in the backfield but even with this and defenders literally right in his face, Barkley was able to out run and move his way around people. It truly felt like the Giants defenders were in quick sand, no matter how close they got. Dart and the offense tried all they could but one interception by Dart, one interception by Wilson, and two lost fumbles were too much to overcome. This lead to the blowout win for the Eagles.
Week 7: Broncos 41 – Giants 38
Ultimately what ended as a close game was really a two score game for a lot of the time. From the beginning the Giants defense has no answer for Bo Nix and the dragging Broncos offense. Nix found his targets quickly, most of the time before the defense could even see them blow past them on a short route. Carter did all he could to help out, sacking Nix three times but that even wasn’t enough. The offense on the other hand kept pace, even with the plethora of drops from all skill players. Dart was pinpoint accurate on most of his throws, however, the offense dropped at least 5 passes. Even with this Dart threw for 5 touchdowns and over 300 yards. The Giants had a shot down three at midfield. It was third down, they came with a midblitz and got the throw they wanted. It was a short route, short of the sticks but Engram broke the tackle and that was all she wrote.
Week 8: Eagles 52 – Giants 49
After the blowout suffered just two weeks ago, the Giants game planned to stop the rushing track of the Eagles. If they were going to lose it was going to be by Hurts arm. This didn’t go as planned. This game was back and forth from the start and statistically it was a bad game for both quarterbacks. Dart turned the ball over 4 times, and Hurts 3 times. Darts first turnover came from a throw out of sack, but this was made up for when Dexter Lawrence caught his first interception of the year in similar fashion.
This game was back and forth throughout, however, whenever the offense would score, the defense would let up a score and whenever the defense made a stop, the offense would turn the ball over or punt it. This all came to a head when the Giants were down three on the Eagles 20 yard line with 1 min left in the game. Dart saw single coverage to the line with Nabers on a low overall corner. This was Darts first and only read and it cost him the game. Nabers looked like he was in position, Dart threw the ball, however Nabers was out jumped and the ball was intercepted. This should have been the end of the game as the Giants only had 2 timeouts, but Barkley scampered for an 80 yard touchdown on the very next play. This let Dart score one last time and ultimately lost on not getting the onside kick.
Overall, the Giants have been playing competitive games even though they are facing a tough schedule and great opponents. Losing by 3 to good teams shows progress, but there were opportunities to win all of the games. Outside of this last Eagles game, Dart has been on fire and looking like the Giants best quarterback since head coach Eli Manning. The defense needs to help the offense. The division race is long gone, but the playoffs are still in reach. The rest of the schedule isn’t easy but if the Giants can squeak out some wins, then they have a shot.
