New York Giants: 3 players who stood out in loss to Steelers

The New York Giants made plenty of mistakes against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one of the 2020 regular season, but they also showed plenty of promise. It was always going to be a tumultuous task to take down a strong Pittsburgh team, composed of veterans and one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Ultimately, they were too much for the Giants to handle with a new head coaching staff and 13 new starters on the roster. Nonetheless, they exerted plenty of energy and flew around the field in the first half of the game. Heading into the second quarter down just six points, the Giants had their opportunities to stay in the game, but a costly interception in the red zone by Daniel Jones lost the momentum.

Cutting down the turnovers and better offensive line play will prove to be a significant catalyst for success moving forward, but it will take time for the team to gel.

HOT ARTICLE: Good news and bad news following tough loss to Pittsburgh 

Three New York Giants’ players who stood out in loss to the Steelers:

1.) Blake Martinez

The Giants replaced Alec Ogletree with Blake Martinez this off-season, and he had a stellar game against the Steelers on Monday night. Racking up 12 total tackles and eight solos, Martinez was flying around the field and played extremely well in run defense. He was fine in coverage but was tasked primarily with stopping the run. He was a standup performer for the Giants on defense and proved his worth. I expect him to be a focal point for them moving forward.

2.) Darius Slayton

Darius Slayton led the NFL in yards and touchdowns among rookie wide receivers last season. He picked up right where he left off in week one, totaling 102 yards and two touchdowns. Daniel Jones tossed him the ball plenty but struck paydirt on a beautiful 41-yard pass in the second quarter. Slayton’s second touchdown came in the dying moments, essentially garbage time, but still added to his impressive performance.

Slayton is quickly becoming the Giants’ top wide receiver, with Sterling Shepard only hauling in six receptions for 47 yards. He is not an elite downfield threat but is better in the short to intermediate passing game. Darius’s ability to make an impact downfield is what boosts his value. I expect him to continue improving as the season progresses, and he started off his second campaign strong.

3.) Leonard Williams

Believe it or not, Leonard Williams doubled his sack totals in just one week compared to 2019. He had a solid game, dominating the guards on the interior of the defensive line and racking up five total tackles and two quarterback hits. He earned his money against the Steelers and proved that he can be an impact player for the Giants moving forward. There’s a long season ahead, and he oftentimes disappears in specific games, but if he can continue his positive momentum, the Giants might’ve found themselves a long-term solution on the defensive front.

Check out this highlight, where he completely dominates his assignment, getting the underneath grip and driving him back right into Big Ben. He records his first sack of 2020 here and does so in vintage Leonard style.