The New York Giants defeated the Chicago Bears on Sunday, 20-12, by deploying a a plan that saw them throw the football just 16 times as a team, completing nine.
Only three of those receptions were made by the wide receivers for total of 25 yards. The offensive game plan was to run until the Bears stopped them, which they didn’t.
The Giants’ offensive line, aided by their three tight ends — Daniel Bellinger, Tanner Hudson and Chris Myarick — “won the line of scrimmage all day,” according for former offensive lineman-turned-NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger.
.@Giants @saquon and the running game ran to their 3rd W. The OL and TE’s won the LOS all day; while they almost tried to play modern football w/o wide receivers. Game plan is to win the game. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/RHPTcSoBEf
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 3, 2022
Head coach Brian Daboll was asked if he catered his gameplan to the personnel he had available. Wide receivers Kadarius Toney (hamstring) and Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) were out again and the Giants lost Sterling Shepard for the season to a torn ACL last week.
“No. I’d say we catered it to playing the Bears — what we thought we needed to do,” Daboll said. “I think Kadarius and Wan’Dale are making progress, so we’ll see where those guys are at. And then (David) Sills. I thought that (Darius Slayton) came in and gave us some good reps. And then Richie (James) has been dependable for us.
“So, depending on those other two guys, again the three guys on the practice squad — we brought Marcus (Johnson) up. (Makai) Polk and (Kalil) Pimpleton have done a good job; we’ll continue to work with those guys. So, I think we’ll see more towards the end of the week.”
The Giants may not have any quarterbacks come Sunday when they head across the pond to face the Green Bay Packers. Daniel Jones is dealing with an ankle injury and Tyrod Taylor suffered a concussion and is in the protocol.
“Ty’s in the protocol, and Daniel is feeling a little bit better today. We’ll just see how that goes,” Daboll told reporters on Monday. “We’ll probably work out a few quarterbacks. Whether we sign them or not, I think that’s dependent on some of these guys here.”
No matter what happens with the wide receiver and quarterbacks, the Giants will need to dominate the line of scrimmage and ride with Saquon Barkley again in Week 5.
