The NY Giants played hard against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on MNF. Time to see who played the hardest in yet another heartbreaking loss.
Another game, another loss for the NY Giants.
It seems like the only time an NFC East team wins is if they play each other. But, at least this game avoided becoming the train wreck some expected. Even with banged up rosters on both sides, the game came down to the very end.
The Giants hung tough for four quarters, and for much of the game they looked like the better team. Unfortunately, they continue to get in their own way, this time in a 25-23 loss to the Buccaneers.
Let’s see the biggest movers and shakers from this week’s game grades.
Daniel Jones
Grade: D
D for Dimes!
If it’s starting to sound repetitive, that’s because it is. Jones continues his streak of turnovers in every game this season. He overthrew receivers who had steps on their defenders downfield, and many of his passes were batted down at the line. The ball always seems a bit too high or too low or too outside, even when a receiver brings it in. He never seems to hear the rush when it’s coming, and he looks completely overwhelmed when it gets to him. He was sacked three times, one of which took the Giants out of field goal range.
Jones’ interception after Dion Lewis returned the ball 40+ yards on the second half kickoff gave away all the momentum the Giants built up in the first half. And after his second interception of the game, ESPN put up a graphic comparing him to Ryan Leaf. That alone should be grounds for failure.
But Jones did break JPP’s ankles on a play action bootleg in the second quarter. And he lead the team downfield on what was nearly a game winning drive. The game should have never came down to a missed defensive pass interference call. Jones’ turnovers continue to be the constant on why the Giants lose games.
Wayne Gallman
Grade: B
From the opening drive, running back Wayne Gallman gave this offense a spark it desperately needed.
He hit the holes hard, and picked up most of his numbers on inside runs. His quickness was complemented by NFC-East-resident Alfred Morris, who served as a nice change-of-pace back, and helped open the field up for Gallman’s speed.
Gallman led the team in carries and yards, and scampered up the gut for a touchdown in the second quarter to put the Giants up 14-3. The run game helped everything. It helped the Giants hold onto the ball a little longer, which gave their own defense a break while tiring out Tampa Bay’s strong defense. And it also helped Daniel Jones’ play fake; the play before Gallman’s touchdown was a pass set up in part by the play fake to Gallman.
Gallman had a good showing against a great defense. His legs were still fresh into the fourth quarter. If the Giants didn’t abandon the run toward the end of the game, his grade could have been higher.
LB Blake Martinez
Grade: B+
The most productive player for the Giants this season continues to rack tackles up all across the field. Martinez added another nine tackles in this game, bumping his season total up to 73. He is currently fourth in the NFL in tackles.
Martinez made his presence known early and often. On the third drive of the game, just two plays after the Giants were forced to punt, Martinez wrapped up Ronald Jones and forced him to fumble a low pass from Tom Brady. The turnover led to the Giants first touchdown. Case and point of how important turnovers are.
But most impressive from Martinez today is his determination to make a play. After Jones’ second interception late in the fourth quarter, Martinez managed to make the kind of play a team can rally behind. As he was being held at the line of scrimmage, Martinez still managed to bring Leonard Fournette down, essentially making the tackle through the offensive lineman. The play drew a penalty for offensive holding, and showed just how much a force Martinez is.
S Jabrill Peppers
Grade: B+
Jabrill Peppers actually had one more tackle than Martinez.
Peppers led the team in tackles and had two pass deflections to his credit. Just like Martinez, Peppers flew all over the field making plays.
His first pass deflection came at the end of the first quarter and caused a fourth down. In the second quarter, he read perfectly a screen pass and was able to get to the flat and make a beautiful open-field tackle. Again he made a nice pass deflection in the third quarter as he hustled into position after losing a step on the receiver.
And that’s really what held him back from any higher a grade. Both his deflections were less plays he made and more of his body getting in the way of Brady’s pass. He seemed a step too slow in coverage, the Giants allowed 279 yards through the air, and Brady always managed to find someone open in the Giants secondary. But Peppers hustle and effort helped contain Brady enough to keep the game close.
MVP: LG Shane Lemieux
The rookie guard started in place of Will Hernandez, who tested positive for COVID-19. And the rookie guard showed he can be a confident starter.
The offensive line is often passed over. It’s usually when someone does something wrong, like a holding call or a false start, that you notice them. But Shane Lemieux was noticed for doing all the right things.
On the Giants first touchdown, Lemieux made a beautiful block on the left side to keep the pocket open long enough for Jones to throw a great pass to Dion Lewis. On the Giants second touchdown, Lemieux showed off his run-block abilities, opening a hole just big enough for Gallman to sneak through. His effort went noticed by Gallman, who is not a player who scores many touchdowns, but still felt like the big man Lemieux deserved to spike the ball.
The offensive line for the Giants has been a porous revolving door for years. But Lemieux was a refreshing sight to see. The Giants need to find him some more playing time, if not a starting position. He was hands down this game’s MVP.