They grade the Giants’ 20-12 victory over the Commanders.
Offense
These are not the numbers that should produce a win: 288 total yards, a disastrous 2 of 10 on third down conversions, 13 points scored by this unit. Daniel Jones (21 of 32, 160 yards) kept the ball and made some timely throws but his longest completion went for only 19 meters. His run (10-35) was a slog. Saquon Barkley (18-87, 1 TD) got up in the last drive when he had 48 yards. He was active (5-33) as a pass-catcher. Jones was not sacked, credit to the guys up front against a mighty defensive line. Rookie RT Evan Neal had two false start penalties in the first half. Richie James (4-42) came up big on a 4th and 9 reception. A massive 18-play, 97-yard drive in the second quarter was a model of execution.
Defense
Was that Kayvon Thibodeaux or Osi Umenyiora on that strip-sack, forced fumble and touchdown in the second quarter? Thibodeaux was on fire. He stopped Curtis Samuel for a 3-yard loss on the opening series, the first of three tackles for loss for Thibodeaux in the first quarter. Thibodeaux also saved a touchdown by stopping Taylor Heinicke at the 1-yard line. Dexter Lawrence and Azeez Ojulari combined for a sack on the Giants’ 5-yard line, Lawrence forced a fumble that Leonard Williams recovered in the fourth quarter. Ryder Anderson, signed to the practice squad, had a sack in the first quarter. Landon Collins tackled Samuel 1 yard short of a first down in the third quarter. It’s not easy to hold an NFL team to 1 of 10 on third down conversions, but this unit did it. Jahan Dotson (4-105) beat Jason Pinnock for a 61-yard completion. Did Darnay Holmes get away with pass interference in the last minute?
Special teams
Giving up a 43-yard kickoff return to Antonio Gibson late in the fourth quarter was almost a killer. Thanks to Graham Gano, who hit two field goals both from 50 yards. Richie James returned the first punt 23 yards. See the article : Sony sees profit increase despite waning interest in video games. Jamie Gillan’s first punt traveled only 37 yards but his first punt of the second half sailed 49 yards for a fair catch on the 9 yard line. Backed up in his own end zone, Gillan allowed a 56-yard punt.
Coaching
Brian Daboll won a great replay challenge with 6:06 left to give the ball to the Giants after a fumble by Taylor Heinicke. … That was a gamble by Daboll going on fourth-and-9 to keep the 97-yard touchdown alive. To see also : CFB Top Games: Michigan Leads Maryland; K-State fights Oklahoma. Mike Kafka kept the running game going and was finally rewarded late in the fourth quarter. All the mixing and matching on defense is dizzying but somehow Wink Martindale made it work in a much better display this time against the Commanders.
