Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!
I rarely feel this spry after a disheartening loss, but watching the New York Giants fall to the best team in football with a defense that hadn’t allowed a passing touchdown through five weeks isn’t as bad. The Giants were the first team this year to find the endzone through the air against the New England Patriots, coming on a 64-yard juggling catch from Golden Tate, the Giants’ top receiver on Thursday night.
However, the loss came with its fair share of disappointing plays and decisions, especially from head coach, Pat Shurmur. With about eight minutes left in the game down two scores, Shurmur elected to punt the ball on 4th-and-2. Against the Patriots and their quality offense, you must take the risk and go for the first down.
Evidently, he gave the ball right back to them, and they marched down the field and scored with ease. The defense was too tired after facing off against Tom Brady for over 70-plays on the night.
After the game, Shurmur stated:
“I felt like it was the right thing to do,” in regard to the punt on 4th-and-2.
Well, Pat, it wasn’t the right thing to do, and you inexplicably put the ball in the hands of the best quarterback of all-time and let him secure the win with ease. Understanding the logic behind that play is simply impossible, and we can only hope he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.
On a positive note, the Giants will likely gain star running back Saquon Barkley against the Arizona Cardinals in week seven. They have 1-1/2 weeks to regain their health and heal up before tackling a more manageable portion of the schedule. Ideally, the Giants can crawl to a 7-4, 6-5 record by the BYE week.
What did Daniel Jones have to say about the Giants’ performance?
“We’re pushing to play better and by no means are we panicked or are we at all questioning ourselves. We know we’ve got to play better. I certainly know I’ve got to play better. So we’re trying to do that.”
Jones threw three interceptions but was playing without his top three play-makers and backup running back. He was handing the ball off to a practice squad body in Hilliman and was relying on Rhett Ellison to pick up the slack with the absence of Evan Engram. The chances of success were slim, and the Patriots defense got the job done.
On the bright side, Jones now has experience playing against two of the best defenses in the league and one of the best he will ever see in the Patriots — essential game experience for him moving forward.
Nonetheless–
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