New York Giants: 3 positive takeaways from the loss to Philly

Finding any positives in such a demoralizing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was difficult, but the New York Giants did enjoy some positive things in week 7.

Of course, the final result dampens the mood entirely, as the Giants fell 21-22, all but torching their glimmer of hope in the NFC East. This was a must-win game for Big Blue, and falling short of victory ensures they are headed down a difficult path.

Three positive takeaways for the New York Giants:

1.) Daniel Jones played well

I was actually quite impressed with Daniel Jones and his performance against Philadelphia. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked three times and pressured 22 times but escaped the pocket on numerous occasions to extend the play.

Earlier this week, head coach Joe Judge stated that he wanted Jones to remain more careful when running the football, taking fewer hits and staying in the pocket to utilize his arm. He did just that against the Eagles but also led the team in rushing yards with 92 on four carries. He had an impressive 80-yard dash in the 4th quarter, falling short of the endzone as the turf monster grabbed his ankles.

Altogether, Jones showed that he can be a leader for the Giants and make things happen. He helped march the offense 97 yards downfield for a touchdown, hitting Sterling Shepard in the endzone. If he can continue this momentum, the Giants should feel confident moving forward with him at the helm.

2.) Blake Martinez remains a stud

One of the best free-agent signings this past off-season was linebacker Blake Martinez — he has been stellar in all facets of his game, and he didn’t disappoint against the Eagles.

Martinez finished the contest with nine total tackles, one past defended, and two quarterback hits. He was flying all around the field, showing off his consistency and athleticism. He has been a focal point for the Giants and a leader in the locker room. His ability to communicate and head the defense has stood out through seven weeks, but the unfortunate reality is that the Giants don’t have enough talent at some key positions.

Leading up to week seven, Martinez had a 79.8 overall defensive grade and 89.6 run defense grade, according to PFF. While his coverage grades are average, his ability against the run is elite. He’s also a fantastic tackler. Thanks to a change in diet, he has improved athleticism and speed, which has directly resulted in more effective play.

3.) The Giants missed Sterling Shepard

The wide receivers through six weeks were putrid, but the Giants gained back one of their more reliable threats in Sterling Shepard against the Eagles. He finished with six receptions for 59 yards and a score, showing off his red-zone efficiency and route running.

Without Shepard, quarterback Daniel Jones would’ve been in trouble more frequently, but he offered a fantastic outlet on numerous occasions. Back in his rookie season, Shepard hauled in eight touchdown passes, and losing him for the past four games has been significant in the category.

Leading up to week seven, the Giants only had three red-zone scores over the past five games, giving you an idea of how influential the loss of Sterling really was. Hopefully, he didn’t reinvigorate his injury (turf toe) and can continue gaining momentum with Jones under center.