The New York Giants host the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night, and they have to do better overall. Their effort is lacking, the play calling hasn’t been great, they struggle to tackle and protect the QB, and Saquon Barkley is likely still out for a bit.
The rest of the team has to step up, the veterans need to show the youngsters what it looks like to be a leader and show them what real effort looks like.
Buy Giants TicketsThis team has so much potential, but they all need to get on the same page and put forth the same effort if they want a shot at a winning season.
That said, there are six keys to earning a victory over the Seahawks on Monday.
Make tackles
The Giants currently rank third, tied with the Chicago Bears, for most missed tackles this season (depending on which metric you read), and they rank second-to-last in sack percentage.
This idea leads directly into another key, which is around effort. If they could tackle and stop opponents from getting close enough for a field goal try, that would go a long way toward winning a game. Baby steps.
Every player must tackle. Read: actually tackle opponents.
Sustain drives
Sustaining drives has been a problem this season, and it largely starts with the offensive line. Daniel Jones has been sacked 12 times over three games, an average of four sacks per game. That’s absolutely ridiculous and should never happen.
The result is that the Giants average under six plays per drive and average a whopping 23.2 yards per drive. No team can get down the field like that, especially when the average starting field position is your own 25-yard line.
Sustain drives, get more yards per play and per drive, or this season will not live up to the expectations set by last year’s team.
Take deep shots
Jalin Hyatt has the longest pass receptions this season, a 58-yard pass from Jones. Darren Waller has the most targets with 20, but he’s caught just 12. Parris Campbell and Wan’Dale Robinson are grossly underused and under-targeted this season, combining for 21 targets and around 68 yards total.
The same can be said for Isaiah Hodgkins, who has nine targets. Darius Slayton has 17 targets but only caught nine passes.
This issue is two-fold. Jones needs to take more shots down the field, which will require the offensive line to give him the time he needs to throw the ball. Then, the receivers have to actually catch the ball.
Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka need to get on the same page here.
Force an actual turnover
The Giants’ defense has forced a grand total of zero turnovers so far this season.
If the Giants can force turnovers on Monday, their starting field position will be better, giving the offense a little boost in their efforts. But the offense can’t do anything when the defense is on the field. The defense needs to step up their game and really put pressure on the Seahawks this week.
Show effort
This one hurts. Last season, the Giants were amped up and ready to prove to the league that they were back. During the offseason, this team was full of confidence and swagger. Then the season started with a 40-0 loss, and it’s like the team just gave up on the entire season.
Even starting with two losses in three weeks, this season is far from over. If the Giants can show us, on the field, that they are willing to put in the effort, maybe they can come away with a win. But they certainly aren’t going to do that wallowing in self-pity because they got their butts handed to them in Week 1.
The season is 17 games, 18 weeks. Put forth some effort, it’s not even close to over.
Start faster
The Giants have to find a way to score in the first half. In their first two games, they scored zero points in the first half. Meanwhile, Dallas scored 26 and the Cards had 20. The Giants managed six points in the first half against the 49ers, but the Niners scored 17.
So, over three games, the Giants have allowed 63 points to be scored in the first half, while only scoring six points themselves. In any sport, a come-from-behind victory is difficult. They managed against the Cards but making a habit of miraculous comebacks is not a solid recipe for success.
