The New York Giants dropped to 4-8 after losing to the Miami Dolphins 20-9 on Sunday. Instead of heading back to New York, the team flew to Arizona for a week of practice. QB Mike Glennon suffered a concussion during the game. Quite possibly, Jake Fromm could start next week’s game in Los Angeles versus the Chargers.
By all accounts, this latest loss showed just how inept the Giants’ offense has been this season. Following yesterday’s “no touchdown” game, the Giants rank dead last (#32) in red-zone success (42%). Graham Gano has kicked 25 field goals this season. The Giants have reached the endzone just 18 times this year. Since the team fired OC Jason Garrett, they’ve scored a total of 22 points (two games). Granted QB1 Daniel Jones is on the shelf, but he produced just 13 points versus the Eagles last week. Averaging 17.6 points per game in the NFL doesn’t cut it. The offensive line continues to be a revolving door of players. More importantly, they also are a turnstile to the quarterback with the exception of LT Andrew Thomas. RT Matt Peart has lost the confidence of the coaches and had no snaps with the offense in Miami. OL Coach Rob Sale stated last week that Peart needs to “…at the end of the day, it’s a violent game…put your hand in someone’s chest and play.”
Defensively, the Giants continue to play respectable football. With the exception of the Dallas and LA Rams games, the defense has played like a top-tier NFL defense, yielding just 19 points per game. Now, if only DC Patrick Graham could figure out how to keep the opponent from scoring in the last two minutes of the first half. The Giants have been outscored 52-0 in those final two minutes. Yesterday, they let Miami score a touchdown with just a few seconds left in the half to take the lead.
With next week’s game in Los Angeles, the team elected to travel west and practice in Tuscon, AZ for the week. Given the current mood of Giants fans and media, that’s probably not a bad idea. During yesterday’s post-game interviews, you could tell the players were somewhat looking forward to this escape from the norm…maybe even hoping to escape the media and the questions. Unfortunately, social media is global and there are some Giants players very active on the likes of Twitter and Instagram. So the wrath and angst of the fans is still readily apparent. For the team, it’s not a break in the activity, but it is a different setting and let’s them focus on the team without some of the day-to-day distractions.
There are plenty of questions to be answered this week about who will play at SoFi Stadium against the Chargers. Daniel Jones may need more time to heal his neck strain. Mike Glennon needs to clear the Concussion protocol before getting back on the field. That leaves new team member, Jake Fromm, and practice squad QB Brian Lewerke as the available QBs. WR Kenny Golladay and RB Saquon Barkley were in and out of the huddle yesterday getting injuries treated. What about WR Sterling Shepard and WR Kadarius Toney? And who will be on the O-Line for this game?
Five games to go in the 2021 regular season. Three division contests. If there’s a spark left in this team, now is the time to get on fire.
