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NY Giants’ offense disappears in listless 26-7 loss to Cardinals, raising serious doubt

By Matt Lombardo

Dec 13, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) sacks New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) causing a fumble during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Cardinals recovered the ball on the play. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) sacks New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) causing a fumble during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Cardinals recovered the ball on the play. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Defense strengthens identity

Speaking of that goal line stand …

The NY Giants’ defense proved its worth and showed that this is a unit capable of powering a playoff run when it slammed the door on the Cardinals on Arizona’s ensuing possession following Jones’ fumble.

Here are the two plays that preceded a fourth and goal stop that typified what has made Graham’s defense the driving force of the Giants’ late-season renaissance:

2nd and goal from Giants’ 6: Kyler Murray hits Christian Kirk for a five-yard gain, Blake Martinez stands Kirk up just shy of the goal line.

3rd and goal from the Giants’ 1: Kenyan Drake takes hand off and is stuffed near the 1-yard line

Then, on 4th down and goal from the 1-yard line, Murray faked a hand off, rolled out as linebacker Tae Crowder charged on a delayed blitz and with Crowder in his face, fired a pass into the back of the end zone for Keyshawn Johnson that cornerback James Bradberry batted out of his hands and harmlessly to the ground.

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1338184856862388226

It was the type of stand that can forge — or strengthen — a defense’s identity and exemplified the way Graham has consistently been able to get contributions from all three levels of the defense. What was most impressive was the level of talent on the field, Murray, Drake, Johnson, Kirk, and DeAndre Hopkins.

This was a monumental test for the Giants’ defense, and they once again passed with flying colors. Unfortunately, the other two units did not hold up nearly as well, as the Giants came careening back to reality.

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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