Special Teams
Grade: F
This was an embarrassing game for the Giants special teams. And head coach Joe Judge, whose pedigree is that of a special teams coordinator, will be sure to remind them how vital this facet of the game is.
By all metrics, this game should have been a blowout. The Giants won the turnover battle (1 vs. 3). They had more first downs (19 vs. 11). They had WAY more yards (386 vs. 155). They had far more time of possession (37:26 vs. 22:34).
But the Giants only managed one touchdown, and giving up a special teams touchdown kept the Bengals in the game.
After scoring their only touchdown on the first drive, the Giants kicked the ball off to Brandon Wilson, who promptly returned the ball 103 yards to score the longest touchdown in Bengals’ history.
Then in the second half, the Bengals line up for a punt and caught the Giants sleeping. A direct snap to Shawn Williams allowed the Bengals to extend the drive.
Not to be outdone, on the final drive the punt team allowed the Bengals to return the ball to midfield with enough time on the clock to move into field goal range.
Luckily the Giants defense helped bail the special teams out. But the special teams almost cost them the game. I would not like to be involved in their film sessions this week.