The New York Giants were abysmal in their opening game on Sunday for a third straight season. The offense mustered two field goals, as the defense surrendered 432 total yards, including 220 on the ground.
Washington was not a disciplined team, committing 12 penalties for 89 yards, many by the Washington offense. However, the Giants defense could not close zones and Daniels picked them apart on second- and third-and-long. The pass rush was solid, but could do little with the lack of coverage behind them.
Washington averaged 6.6 yards per play and the Giants 3.7. Here are five plays, sequences of plays, or situations that resulted in the Giants’ disappointing Week 1 performance.
Play(s) 1: The Giants offensive line
The offensive line deserves an entire section here. Russell Wilson had little time to throw the football and the unit hardly generated any push at the point of attack for the rushing game. Andrew Thomas was missed, dearly, and James Hudson III struggled for most of the game. Serious questions should be asked about John Michael Schmitz. Greg Van Roten appeared to lose several reps that led to negative plays for the Giants’ offense, especially in high leverage situations.
New York averaged 3.2 yards per carry and 43 of those yards were Russell Wilson. There were no holes created up front – pure domination by Washington’s front seven. The few runs that were positive were to the outside. Overall, it was a terrible performance from an offensive line unit that’s been ineffective for years.
Play(s) 2: The Giants’ coverage in advantageous situations
Washington mistakes led to several second/third-and-long situations, which is a perfect place for the Giants’ defense. However, the coverage was so poor, that Jayden Daniels calmly sat in the pocket and found answers; here’s one example below to Deebo Samuel:
Intermediate crosses vs. man coverage and deep digs between zone voids were a reason for the blown opportunities, as were Daniels’ legs. The Giants defense had similar issues last year against Washington. They seem to not have a curveball or an answer for Daniels’ patience and legs, and the end result was another drive extender for Washington.
Now, with that said, the Giants’ defense did force five punts and a bad mistake at the end of the first half that cost Washington points. Although a few of those punts were forced due to Washington drops. But two second/third-and-longs on Washington’s eight play, 58-yard drive that resulted in a Bill Crosky-Merritt touchdown, were converted; a second-and-16 pass to Deebo Samuel was converted and a second-and-nineteen went for 13 yards to Terry McLaurin. Washington converted the ensuing third-and-6 on a Daniels’ scramble.
The Deebo Samuel touchdown drive saw a second-and-17 eventually converted on third-and-5, as well as a second-and-fifteen that Austin Ekeler converted. The Giants were toyed with by Washington.
Play 3: The dagger
Samuel was a good addition by Washington in the offseason. He fits well with Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme and the Giants learned that on Sunday. Samuel caught seven for 77 with a 19-yard touchdown rush:
The Giants – somehow – still had a chance with eight minutes left in the game; it was a one-possession, 14-6 affair before Samuel capped off a nine-play, 80-yard drive. This touchdown was the dagger that should have pierced the heart of the Giants in the previous hour. However, it inevitably did and the Giants fell to 0-1 on the season for the third consecutive year.
Play 4(s): A rookie sensation
Crosky-Merritt is a rookie seventh-round pick who played one game at the University of Arizona last season before being rendered ineligible by the NCAA. Crosky-Merritt had 10 rushes for 82 yards with the touchdown above.
That touchdown is a G/T counter where the backside guard and tackle pull to the frontside to create extra gaps to the boundary side. Jayden Daniels’ legs and ability to keep at the mesh-point forces defenders to remain disciplined until they can confirm the location of the football – it is a difficult task. Still, it appears like Darius Muasau was held on the play as he penetrated. Crosky-Merritt did a good job bouncing the run outside of Chauncey Golston who took on the first puller, but Cor’Dale Flott, or any other Giant, failed to execute contain, resulting in the touchdown.
Play 5: Washington picks on Darius Muasau
New York lost Micah McFadden to injury early in the game. Luckily for the Giants, the reports are negative, which is a good sign. Nevertheless, Washington quickly turned their eyes to Muasau on second-and-5 down in the red zone. Kingsbury motioned Ertz to stack behind another receiver and then Ertz did an excellent job at the top of his stem to halt Muasau in place before securing the first touchdown of the game.
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