NY Giants Grades: Graham Gano, Wayne Gallman keep offense going strong

MVP: RB Wayne Gallman

Gallman has had to wait patiently for his opportunity to prove his worth and ability. And since taking over as the lead back this year with injuries to Saquon Barkely and Devonta Freeman, he’s proved both.

As good as he’s been in every game, Gallman earned this week’s MVP for showing how good he can still become.

Though he’s clearly been the lead back with Alfred Morris helping to shoulder the load, Gallman was the workhorse this week. He had 24 carries (Morris had just four) for a season- and career-high 94 rushing yards. He also scored the Giants lone touchdown, bringing his consecutive games with a rushing touchdown to five.

Whereas opposing defenses normally have to worry about rushing attempts from Daniel Jones and Morris, this week the Bengals only had to stop Gallman. But they couldn’t. He ran tough in between the tackles, moving piles of bodies to truck ahead for first down after first down. He averaged 3.9 yards per rush, and each one of those yards was hard earned.

It’s been fun watching Gallman get a well-deserved opportunity to play. He runs the ball the way the Giants like their backs to, hard. And while it’s not a surprise to see a back like Derrick Henry truck his way through an offensive line, it is to see Gallman do it. At 6’ and 210 lbs, he’s built more like a slot receiver.

But he runs like a starting NFL running back. He’s been a spark, a fresh breath of life into a offense devoid of weapons. And he was this week’s MVP.