The New York Giants got smashed by the Detroit Lions, 31-18, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, a loss that could send them into free fall as they hit the stretch run of the season in the next seven weeks.
The loss, combined with wins by their three division rivals on Sunday, dropped the Giants into third place with a 7-3 record. Running back Saquon Barkley was stonewalled by the Lions’ defense, gaining just 22 yard on 15 carries. He has a simple solution when it comes to putting this game behind him.
“By playing on Thursday,” he told reporters after Sunday’s game.
The Giants head to Dallas for a Thanksgiving Day clash of two 7-3 teams possible heading in different directions.
The loss to Detroit was not only costly in the NFC East standings, the Giants incurred more injuries to key starters. Barkley isn’t paying much attention to the standings at the moment as he has four days to ready himself for the sext game.
“It’s just disappointing because of the loss. To be completely honest, I know you guys probably don’t believe it, like we really don’t pay attention to that,” said Barkley. “We really don’t care about that. The only thing we can focus on is one day at a time.
“Like if we had that mindset, we’ll drive ourselves insane, we’ll drive ourselves crazy, so it’s just disappointing because you lost. At the end of the day, 7-3 going into Thanksgiving game against Dallas with a chance to get things back on track and we’ve got to execute and take advantage of that opportunity.”
They’ll have to try and succeed in the wake of a deflating loss which saw quarterback Daniel Jones commit the type of turnovers many thought he had overcome and Barkley simply getting shut down as if he were facing the ’85 Bears.
Barkley was asked if the team’s confidence has taken a hit after losing so miserably at home to Detroit.
“Zero. I mean at the end of the day, it’s the NFL, every team is a great team. They came out here, they played great,” he said. “We’re not going to panic. We’re not going to worry. We’re not going to waver at all. That’s for you guys to go out there and say what you want to say about us. At the end of the day, the only focus we have is the men and women in the locker room and the facility.”
That could be true. Head coach Brian Daboll has rallied the troops through thick and thin but his optimism and leadership skill will be put to the test beginning this week as his banged up squad plays a key division game on the road with just four games rest.
