If you are a New York Giants fan, you are likely feeling a sense of pain after the week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Falling 27-13, the Giants were outmatched at every corner, similar to the last two games against the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.
While the defense has had their fair share of struggles, specifically with injuries and miscommunications, the offense has been equally terrible, if not much worse.
Against Baltimore, the Giants rushed for just 54 yards, with Wayne Gallman touching the ball six times, his lowest since taking over duties earlier this season. Interestingly, the Giants converted 24 first downs while the Ravens converted 25, but the time of possession was vastly different. The Giants earned just 24.5 minutes while the Ravens had 35 minutes.
The offense simply looked dull and routinely made mistakes, including dropped passes and penalties. At this point in the season, we can confidently say that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett should be fired after the 2020 campaign concludes.
Over the past three weeks, the Giants have scored a combined 26 points and recorded single digits in two of the contests. The Ravens scored 27 in the loss, which should be eye-opening.
Garrett’s scheme lacks diversity with his route concepts, pushing receivers downfield and stretching the defense. It was odd that it took this long for Dante Pettis to receive an opportunity, as he recorded two receptions and 33 yards over a very minimal sample size of snaps.
In addition, the lack of control and running the football was clear, as the Giants reached the red-zone twice, and Garrett called a disgraceful wide receiver screen that lost yardage.
This play right here is a fireable offense to me for Garrett…
1st and 10 in the red-zone, take a shot to the end-zone against a stacked box if you're gonna do something silly like the LONGEST developing WR screen of all time against a FAST defense. pic.twitter.com/1tu3RkF2Jt
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) December 27, 2020
It is almost inconceivable that a coach that has been in the league for such a long time to draw a play so inadequate and embarrassing.
The Giants do have talent, and while they aren’t considered above average by any means, we’ve seen teams do more with less. Just consider defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who has managed to put together an adequate season with plenty of depth and reserve options. Good coaching makes all the difference — the defense was simply gassed heading into this game after losing time of possession the past three.
Ultimately, since Garrett was an ownership hire to help the transition of Joe Judge as head coach, he should be the first to be let go, considering Judge is the future of this team. Giving the former Patriots’ assistant autonomy to make his coaching selections should be a priority, given the lack of modern play-calling and ineptitude on offense.