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NY Giants look like playoff contenders as defense slams Seahawks 17-12

By Matt Lombardo

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 06: Alfred Morris #41 of the New York Giants celebrates with teammate Nick Gates #65 after scoring a 4 yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter in the game at Lumen Field on December 06, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 06: Alfred Morris #41 of the New York Giants celebrates with teammate Nick Gates #65 after scoring a 4 yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter in the game at Lumen Field on December 06, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Dec 6, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive back Ryan Neal (39) blocks a punt by New York Giants punter Riley Dixon (9) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The play resulted in a safety. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive back Ryan Neal (39) blocks a punt by New York Giants punter Riley Dixon (9) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The play resulted in a safety. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Giants special teams have gone from a strength to a liability

The past three seasons, and through the first half of 2020, the Giants special teams were among the most consistently dominant in the NFL. That just hasn’t been the case the past two weeks.

Inside of the final :30 of the first half against the Seahawks, Nate Ebner whiffed on a block of Seattle’s Ryan Neal allowing Neal to block Riley Dixon’s punt from the Giants’ 12-yard line that mercifully touched the back-line before the Seahawks could recover. Still, Ebner’s mistake allowed the Seahawks to extend their first half lead to 5-0.

On the ensuing free kick, Ebner took the wrong line in coverage and played a part in allowing Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed to return Dixon’s kick 50 yards.

In close games late in the season in the midst of a playoff chase, mistakes are magnified and the Giants’ special teams have now allowed 9 points the past two weeks.

Thomas McGaughey is one of the most respected special teams coaches in the NFL, so in concert with Joe Judge this staff is plenty capable of fixing the special teams. But, they’ll need to play at a much higher level down the stretch against the Cardinals, Browns, Ravens, and Cowboys if this team is going to make a legitimate run at the NFC East crown.

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Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.

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