After limping to a 2-0 start, the New York Giants dropped their first game against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. The loss hearkened back to dreadful losses of the past three seasons. With the first quarter of the season nearly over, this first loss could be the easiest one to digest.
A 29-27 loss to a division foe is not the ideal precursor to a tough two game road stretch. But that is the exact situation the New York Giants find themselves in. The Giants possessed a 12 point lead over the Washington Redskins in the second quarter and mustered up an impressive defensive stand going into halftime. Jason Pierre Paul generated his first sack of the season on the final play of the half. After giving up a deep touchdown through the middle of the Giants secondary the previous drive, the last second stop gave credence to a revitalized mindset and a new sense of momentum.
But it would not last. The Redskins took the lead in the second half on another long pass play; this time on a screen play to Jamison Crowder. The explosive plays and excitement the Giants were supposed to display on offense was more evident from the Redskins. The takeaways and opportunistic nature that the Giants defense was supposed to possess was instead utilized by the Redskins defense to secure the win.
Odell Beckham again stole the show; both for his play on the field and his antics off it. Weston Richburg, possibly the third best offensive player the Giants have, was ejected for two personal fouls. The discipline and poise head coach Ben McAdoo has preached for months was not present.
Familiar Issues
Injuries are mounting, with three starters missing according to the New York Post on Sep. 27, 2016. The defense struggled in run defense at the end of the game. And the presumed leader, the steady, reliable presence, threw away a golden opportunity to win the game on a last second field goal. Eli Manning is the best hope the Giants have for success. But his decision making and lack of field awareness, namely his obliviousness to a linebacker blanketing his intended receiver, should be a cause for concern. Not to mention his lack of trust, or worse, the lack of a game plan, based around targeting the three potential Pro-Bowl receivers on the outside.
The sting from a division loss will hurt more in the short term. But it will have a much bigger consequence when tie breakers and divisional records come into play towards the end of the season.
Right now, the Giants are staring at a match up with the rehashed Purple People Eaters; the same ones that took down Cam Newton eight times and held the defending NFC champion Panthers to 10 points. This unit will undoubtedly pose a different, more formidable problem than Washington. Energized by a new stadium in Minneapolis, this game could be uglier than the 49-17 loss late last season.
2-2 isn’t the end of the world, or the end of the playoff chances for the Giants. The next game, against the Packers in Lambeau, could be though. Two ugly losses in a row, in addition to the ascending Eagles and promising Cowboys could very well likely have the Giants on the outside looking in by the time Halloween comes.
Season Only Gets Tougher
For all the additions and optimism regarding these new look Giants, old habits are hard to break. A lack of discipline, continuity, and controlled emotion are ingrained issues. These issues reared their ugly head last Sunday; mindless penalties, erratic play, questionable play calling. Three issues that needed to be addressed during the off season that still seem to be pressing problems.
The looming schedule offers little solace for a struggling team; a team that was exposed during the first three games but managed to escape with wins the first two weeks. David Diehl and Amani Toomer, retired Super Bowl champions, each expressed their concern with these Giants on MSG’s postgame show. No one can expect to win games like this. The way the Giants have played, not only last week, but this entire season, does not have the feel of a playoff team. The deficiencies are noticeable, and as The New York Post stated on Sep. 26, 2016, “This is where things can turn ugly.”