Giants Week 5 Grades/Analysis
After two heartbreaking losses, New York Giants fans including myself were hoping for a reversal of fortune facing a daunting task on the road against the Green Bay Packers. With both teams dealing with nagging injuries, the hope was that the offense would find its rhythm and break the awful funk. Those hopes were quickly dashed with another ugly performance from the offense in a nail-biting 23-16 loss. So what went wrong again for big blue? Let’s recap.
Giants Running: C+
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For the second straight week, there was no Rashad Jennings. So Ben McAdoo went with a running back-by-committee approach. Orleans Darkwa was a disappointment in this outing rushing just 7 times for 11 yards. But who got most of the workload was Bobby Rainey and rookie Paul Perkins. With Bobby Rainey doing most of his damage in the passing game catching a team-high 6 passes for 52 yards. Look for him to be featured in the passing attack in the future as he is filling in real nicely for Shane Vereen as a third down back. But once again, the running game was non-existent and didn’t help that the O-line was poor themselves.
Giants Passing: D
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Coming from a loyal Eli Manning fan, i’ve longed defended him despite what other people have said. This season, he has shown that my loyalty should be questioned. For the second straight week, his poor play was the ultimate demise in why this team once again failed on offense. His 18 for 35 in passing opportunities for just one touchdown was awful. From missing his targets, to struggling to hold onto the ball again. He has looked uncomfortable and lost in his last two games. If the Giants stand any chance to win a game, they will go as far as Eli can take them. Thus far from his play, it seems to be at a standstill. At least Beckham kept his cool and in doing so made up with the kicking net after scoring his first TD of the season.
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Giants Run Defense: C
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One of the few bright spots in the game was the run defense the Giants were able to utilize against the 12th ranked rushing attack in the NFL. James Starks and Eddie Lacy combined to rush for 22 attempts for 114 yards. Now it may seem like a lot of yards giving up by the defense, but they have yet to allow a 100-yd rusher so far this season. Giving up an average of 96.6 YPG. The rushing defense hasn’t been the issue because they have done a good job. The pass defense is what’s the problem this team is facing.
Giants Pass Defense: C
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With the $200 million dollar investment on this defense with Oliver Vernon and Damon Harrison added to this defensive front with JPP and Johnathan Hankins. The Giants tried to duplicate the defensive front that had the makings of Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora written all over it. Those expectations have slowly been dwindling each passing week. This defensive front once again failed to record a sack and couldn’t get any pressure on Aaron Rodgers whatsoever, allowing him nearly 5 seconds per pass attempt while also giving up 2 passing TDS. Despite this being a C, the secondary had a solid outing against A-Rod by hauling in 2 interceptions both coming from newly acquired free-agent Janoris Jenkins. Though they were depleted in the secondary without Eli Apple and a limping DRC, the secondary is what helped kept the Giants close for the majority of the night.
Overall Grade: C
Once again, another piss-poor performance from the Giants find themselves now at 2-3 with their 3rd straight loss. With Manning struggles, the O-line failing to protect Eli, Defense not putting any pressure on the opposing QBs, has been some of the reasons why the Giants find themselves in this position. Looking ahead they will return home at MetLife Stadium to play the Baltimore Ravens who loss to the Washington Redskins 16-10. Giants must figure out these lingering issues they have had if they want to have any chance against the Ravens. All we can do is pray they will.
