NY Giants grades: Offense holds, Leonard Williams has monster game

CB Julian Love

Grade: A

The Giants secondary has made major strides this season. In this game, they returned to playing mostly man coverage. And Julian Love showed he should be considered at corner going forward.

Love came into this game fourth on the team in tackles, and he added another seven onto that total. He also added another pass deflection from this game.

Love also came close to an interception. On the Cowboys’ third drive of the game, Love nearly hauled in a pass that was intended for Amari Cooper. That came after Love made a beautiful open field tackle on CeeDee Lamb on the first play of that drive. Dallas went three and out that drive.

His one pass deflection came a few drives later. He deflected a high pass that was originally intended to Michael Gallup. After that, Pro Bowler James Bradberry also broke up a pass intended for Gallup. The Cowboys again went three and out.

The switch to man coverage was a departure from what the Giants’ secondary was used to throughout this season. But it worked out great. The secondary’s ability to hold coverage forced Andy Dalton, someone known for getting the ball out quick, to hold onto the ball far longer than planned.

But even more importantly, when Dalton would throw their way, the secondary, and especially Love, made plays. Dalton only averaged 5.2 yards per completion, and he threw an interception. His rating was 66.2.

Having big-name members in the secondary, like Bradberry and Logan Ryan, means quarterbacks might plan to throw the ball the other way. Love has shown this year that he’s capable and ready for when they do.