The NY Giants’ rushing defense has taken on a new look behind Wayne Gallman’s powerful running style and quarterback Daniel Jones’ RPOs, but how high is the ceiling for this group?
As New York chases an NFC East title, the NY Giants rushing offense has a chance to lead the way. The Giants are knocking at the door of the top 10 in rushing yards per play and per game, and if they lean on the ground game through the month of December they could crack the top 10 in the NFL.
While the Giants overall offense ranks 29th in total yards, 28th in yards per play, and 30th in points per game, the rushing offense has been respectable. The Giants are averaging 4.3 yards per attempt (12th in the league) and 113.4 yards per game (15th).
Quarterback Daniel Jones has led the Giants ground game with 403 yards on 55 attempts, for an average of 7.3 yards per carry. The Giants may have to do without him this week, due to a hamstring injury. The good news is that Wayne Gallman has emerged as a reliable option in the rushing attack, with 93 carries for 369 yards, an average of 4.0 per carry. During the three-game winning streak, Gallman has 56 carries for 215 yards and four touchdowns. That’s good for an average of 3.8 yards per attempt.
If Colt McCoy’s mobility can replicate Jones’, should Jones miss time due to a right hamstring strain, it would be a significant bonus for the Giants’ ground game.
It’s not earth shattering, but in a weak division with a young quarterback who turns the ball over too often, it might be worth leaning on the running game. That seems to have been part of the recipe for success during the winning streak. Jones hasn’t thrown an interception in the last three games after tossing four picks in the previous three outings. He’s averaged 30 attempts per game, down from 40 attempts per contest in the first eight games.
If the Giants are going to make a run at the division title and be a tough out in the playoffs, trying to run the ball often and asking Daniel Jones to manage the game and avoid mistakes should be their best chance at success.