Overcoming a strong Los Angeles Rams team in week four will be problematic for the New York Giants. Following three consecutive losses to open the 2020 season, the Giants are looking to gain their first victory under new head coach Joe Judge.
Everybody knew that it would be tough for the Giants to win on a weekly basis, with the implementation of new schematics and coaches across the board. That is not to mention a number of fresh faces on offense and defense.
Creating cohesion with COVID-19 protocols fighting back was never going to be an easy challenge, and that has reflected in the Giants’ inability to perform on Sundays. They put up a solid fight against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one and nearly secured a win week against the Chicago Bears, but everything fell apart against a gashed San Francisco 49ers team that was missing their starting quarterback and a number of playmakers on defense.
The Rams pose a major challenge, considering they have a generational talent on defense in Aaron Donald and a strong offense that has put up 89 points through three games.
The Giants, on the other hand, rank dead last in the league in points for, with just 35. In second place is the Washington Football Team, who have scored 62 points and are already considering moving on from Dwayne Haskins due to their offenses lackluster performances.
So, where does that put the Giants and their offense?
“I think as coaches, we have to be very self-critical,’’ Judge said. “When I watch the tape, there are things that players have to correct. But I always look at myself in the mirror first. As coaches, I think that’s how you have to be. Am I doing everything possible to teach these guys the best way? Am I doing everything possible to paint that mental image that they can go out there and execute on the grass? Am I putting them in the ideal situations to play to their strengths?
Judge acknowledges that player mistakes are riddled across the tape for the Giants, but the coaches have to do a better job of putting them in a position to succeed. A lack of creativity on offense has significantly dampened their efficiency, and while the defense has performed well at times, they will be without starting strong safety Jabrill Peppers against the Rams.
“As a coaching staff, we have to ask ourselves that on a daily basis through practice, on a weekly basis through the games. If you’re not self-critical as a coach, I don’t think you’re a very good coach. If you’re someone who wants to simply look at players and say, ‘Well, he has to play better. He has to do this,’ what did you do to put him in that position? To me, for our staff, we have to be a group of guys that watch the tape and we see ourselves in the performance of the players, and we have to make sure we’re doing everything possible to help elevate their level of play.’’
Judge has the right mentality when it comes to shouldering the blame for the losses. Blaming individual players only creates animosity within the locker room.
The coaches have the most power and we saw that with the 49ers and how schematics can play a major part in victory. If every Giants player does their job to perfection, which ultimately falls back on the coaching staff preparing them adequately, any team can win with ease.