The New York Giants were embarrassed in week three against the San Francisco 49ers, despite their opposition being thrashed by injuries. Missing their starting quarterback, running backs, and multiple defenders, the 49ers posted 36 points on Big Blue, holding them just nine.
In what might’ve been the most embarrassing display by the Giants in years, change has to be coming, in one way or another. Moral victories are no longer acceptable for an organization that has now been rebuilding for multiple years. General manager Dave Gettleman must be on the hot seat, with the team starting 0-3.
Having a new head coach and regimen can be used as an excuse for some things, but being blown out by a team decimated with injuries is simply unacceptable.
Good news and bad news for the New York Giants:
GOOD NEWS:
The only good news from the loss to the 49ers is that kicker Graham Gano and punter Riley Dixon were two of the Giants’ best players, which is discomfiting to say. Graham hit all three of his field goals on Sunday and Dixon had a few decent punts. Otherwise, the entire team threw up a dud, with Golden Tate leading in reception yards with just 36. On the ground, Daniel Jones lead the team with 49 yards, as the running backs compiled just 17 in total.
Defensively, the Giants allowed 343 passing yards and 93 rushing yards, an awful display for a unit that entered the game as the 11th ranked defense in points allowed.
The only solace I can fathom is that the NFC East is still wide open, with Washington losing to the Browns and the Eagles losing to the Cincinnati Bengals.
BAD NEWS:
I could spend all week listing the bad factors from the loss to San Francisco. Notably, Daniel Jones threw one interception and just 157 yards. The running game was nonexistent, and the defense fell asleep after the second quarter.
Here are the primary takeaways from the loss:
-Bad penalties (Darnay Holmes 3rd and 22)
-Jones missed multiple throws
-Run blocking is atrocious
-Run stopping was bad
-Secondary was gashed routinely by reserve options
-Isaac Yiadom remains a liability
-Pass rush failed to do its job (2.0 sacks, 8 QB hits against a backup)
-Devante Downs cannot cover at the linebacker position
-Too many missed tackles
-Jabrill Peppers injured
There are plenty more cons to list, but these are the primary ones. The entire team played under their weight class and showed zero fight in a game that should’ve been more competitive.