5 takeaways from New York Giants’ Week 4 loss
By Henry Buggy
No. 4 – Giants ground game remains non-existent
The Giants spent a ton of money this offseason and used the franchise’s highest draft selection since 1981 to bolster their ground game. It hasn’t paid off.
Big Blue mustered just 65 yards on the ground against the Saints. It’s the second time this season the Giants have been held under 70 rushing yards. It’s clearly disconcerting given the fact that New York’s ground game opened up the offense for their first win against the Houston Texans in Week 3.
It’s not as though the Saints don’t have a strong rush defense. They’ve only allowed 100-plus rushing yards on the ground once this season, but it’s hard for any team to establish a ground game when they run the ball just 15 times, especially when two of those carries come from a 37-year-old quarterback.
In order to beat the Saints, the Giants needed to do it through the air. However, Big Blue’s offensive success is built on establishing a ground game first, as witnessed in Houston.
Through four games, the Giants have the league’s 27th ranked rushing attack. Not exactly ideal for a franchise that spent top dollar on the offensive line in free agency and used their first two draft picks on a running back and a guard.
It’s not Barkley fault, though. Big Blue’s rookies have played outstanding this season. Takeaways No. 3 and No. 2 further explain the team’s lackluster performances on offense this season.