The New York Giants fell for a fourth-straight week to the Detroit Lions 31-26, and while rookie quarterback Daniel Jones had a stellar game, throwing for 322 yards and four touchdowns, his team couldn’t find a way to win.
Head coach Pat Shurmur was once again at the forefront of the loss, failing to put up over 30 points against one of the league’s worst defenses without two of their best players. One bone-headed decision by Shurmur was to go for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, which would have pulled the Giants within a field goal.
However, with plenty of time on the clock, risking a two-pointer in the grand scheme of the game made very little sense. With the fourth-quarter winding to a close, the Giants would have been one-possession from tying the game if Shurmur would have taken the extra point instead. The score was 19-31, and Big Blue was driving down the field when a 4th and 11 sat between the Giants and a one-possession game.
With 3:31 on the clock, the Giants went for it on fourth down, and Darius Slayton wasn’t able to haul in the catch. If Shurmur would have taken the extra point earlier on, they could have settled for a field goal and walked away with two-time outs and a chance at making a comeback. Another boneheaded decision by the head coach who is digging himself a hole that he might not be able to get out of.
The entire blame can’t be put on New York Giants head coach, Pat Shurmur:
The Giants’ defense did allow 31 points to a Detroit team without their top running back. Allowing 14 unanswered points to start the game is becoming a common thing for James Bettcher and his gang of misfit toys. Bettcher has been working with inept quality on defense and young players without much experience. The Giants will need to overhaul the unit next offseason, and a majority of their estimated $80 million in cap space will be allocated towards bolstering the defense.
One big question mark is left tackle, Nate Solder, who’s earning more than the president of the United States, currently. He’s become a severe liability to Daniel Jones’ health and protection on his blindside. Finding a trade partner for Solder might not be a terrible idea after eight weeks of poor play.