The 2022 New York Giants are for real. The NY Giants continue to play competitive football for the full 60 minutes each game. The coaches continue to make superb halftime adjustments that put the players in position to outscore opponents in the second half. Dabs, Wink, Kafka, and TMac have proven to be extraordinary planners and schemers. And the players–every one of them–are buying into the plan 100 percent.
Yet again, the Giants started slowly, this time against the Packers in London, going down 20-10 at the half. And yet again, the Giants scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to take the lead and keep it for the win. The Giants have scored 70 of their 103 points this year in the second half while holding their opponents to just 39 of their total of 93 points in the same window of time. Here’s the crazy part: the Giants are doing this while continuing to lose key players each game. Sunday, CB Adoree Jackson went down with knee and neck injuries. The Giants were already playing without top DL Leonard Williams, CB Aaron Robinson, CB Cordale Flott, OLB Azeez Ojulari, backup QB Tyrod Taylor, and several WRs including Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard, and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson.
Stepping in to play for Jackson, A. Robinson, and Flott at cornerback were Fabian Moreau, Justin Layne, and Nick McCloud. None of these players were with the Giants during preseason. Moreau was signed to the Giants practice squad on September 15 after being cut by the Texans. He was activated from the practice squad on September 18th and played against the Panthers. He was activated again on the 26th to play against the Cowboys, and finally signed to the active 53-man roster on the 28th. His snap counts have increased with each game. Unfortunately, Moreau also left the Packers game with a recurring foot injury.
Justin Layne was claimed off waivers from the Steelers on August 31, 2022. He was a third-round pick of the Steelers in 2019 and played in 26 games for them until his release on cut-down day. In April of 2021, Layne had some trouble with the law in Ohio stemming from possession of a loaded weapon during a traffic stop for speeding. Layne plea bargained to a lesser charge and served six-months probation.
Nick McCloud was also claimed off waivers from Buffalo as camps ended on August 31st. He had some special team snaps versus the Titans in Week 1, but hadn’t played again until Sunday against the Packers. Both Layne and McCloud were credited with key defensive pass breakups on Sunday.
On offense, WR Darius Slayton was Daniel Jones’ main target Sunday, catching 6 of 7 targets for 79 yards. Prior to this game, Slayton had just one reception. He’s been in the back end of the depth chart throughout the preseason and regular season. But with Toney and W. Robinson out, he moved up and assumed a starting role. Richie James (the Giants’ leading WR in catches and yards) and David Sills (mostly due to his willingness to block on run plays) continued to get the most snaps at WR for the Giants. Marcus Johnson was activated from the practice squad and caught all 3 passes thrown his way.
The Giants continue to add injured players to their MASH unit. But the “next man up” mentality is in cruise control with every backup making key contributions to this latest Giants’ come-from-behind victory. As Coach Daboll has said, every player on this roster is here because they can play and are prepared to play.
