Big Blue finally finishes, stays in NFC East Hunt
When entering the fourth quarter many Giants fans felt a familiar vibe to how this season has gone so far. The Giants were stalling on offense and the defense was slowly breaking down due to Alex Smith and his offense. What was different about the past few games and seasons before for the New York Giants compared to on Sunday was that head coach Joe Judge was able to get in the face of the defense and motivate them to shut out Washington for ten minutes in the fourth quarter. Jabrill peppers and Logan Ryan have spoken on multiple occasions complementing the rookie head coach on his toughness. The Giants have played with a different energy this year on both sides of the football and you can tell they are getting better each game. That being said this team has no chance to advance during the playoffs but still remains in the hunt for the NFC East title. It is more of a Daniel Jones audition for their last eight games then a task for Joe Judge to get them to the playoffs. The Giants have drafted several players that have yet to show their full potential. A defensive line including Dalvin Tomlinson, Dexter Lawrence, and Leonard Williams were doubted last year. They have shown tremendous improvement this season and so far have done a much better job getting to the quarterback. It is little things like this that make many excited about the New York Football Giants. But, Daniel Jones still makes mistakes and their young team still has flaws that need to be progressed during the year.
The Giants had beaten Washington in 5 straight and continued that streak on Sunday. New York got out to a similar lead we have seen disappear in prior games. Joe Judge’s team was up 20-3 going into the second half on Sunday. The Giants were getting a consistently good rushing attack led by Wayne Gallman. Gallman finished with 14 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Giants got unexpected play from rookie Austin Mack who made a few big catches including a 50-yard pass from Daniel Jones. To end the half Jones and running-back Alfred Morris moved the Giants down the field into the red-zone. On Jones’ best pass of the day, he hit Evan Engram on a 14-yard touchdown up the seam.
After another scary injury to a quarterback with Kyle Allen’s broken ankle, a second-half comeback was looking out of the question. But, the second half began with Alex Smith finally getting into a rhythm leading a big 75-yard drive. The Giants bend but don’t break defense allowing their first touchdown of the day on a 1-yard rush by Antonio Gibson. Washington climbed back into the game on the shoulders of wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Chris Sims. Both took short passes the Giants missed tackles on farther down the field getting their stagnant Washington offense into decent field possession.
Washington scored on their first three drives of the second half. This allowed them to climb all the way back trailing by 3 with 10 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. Joe Judge and his staff were on the verge of blowing their third straight fourth-quarter lead. Finally, the Giants were able to finish off Washington for Daniel Jones’ fourth time in his young career. Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan both had the key turnovers that wrapped Sunday’s game. Ryan, who was away from the team this week due to his wife’s ectopic pregnancy, promised her a game ball. That is exactly what the former Patriot and Titan got for his wife while sealing Big Blue’s second win. Caught screaming into the camera after his interception “that one is for you baby” Ryan is continuing to show that the free agents the Giants brought in this season are making game-changing contributions. Blake Martinez, James Bradberry, Logan Ryan, Leonard Williams, and Jabrill Peppers are all players Dave Gettleman has made moves for. It was great to see a collective effort from players who have been traded and dealt from other teams.
Washington’s season is most likely over and any shot of winning the NFC East will be an uphill battle. What Ron Rivera and Dan Snyder need to see is a consistent improvement from their younger stars. Washington has a decent young core they can build around, and to see Montez Sweat, Chase Young, and Terry McLaurin continue to prove themselves and claim this team is a good step.
New York may be the most consistent team in the NFC East at this point. The Dallas Cowboys played better on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Mike McCarthy’s group is still missing their leader in Dak Prescott. The Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Metlife Stadium. This game is New York’s last chance to stay in the NFC East hunt. This division is still the Eagles more specifically Carson Wentz’s to lose. But, if the Giants can play the way they did in Philadelphia two weeks ago they should be in this game. This should be a classic Eagles-Giants battle that is competitive for sixty minutes. Next week’s game has the chance to be a signature win for two Quarterbacks in Daniel Jones and Carson Wentz both looking to win over their respective cities.
Writer
-By: Sam Kirk