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3 Trends NY Giants must break to beat the Falcons

By Michael Nitti

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Jason Garrett congratulates Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants as he heads off the field during the third quarter against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Jason Garrett congratulates Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants as he heads off the field during the third quarter against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on September 16, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team rushes from Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Lack of pressure on opposing QB

What seemed to be a potential strength of this NY Giants team heading into the season, the pass rush generated by the defense thus far has been problematic.

Through two games, the Giants have collected only three sacks, which ranks tied for 21st in the NFL. What’s particularly concerning about that is that they’ve blitzed on 27.8% of dropbacks, which ranks 13th in the league.

Additionally, the defense has generated pressure on the opposing quarterback on just 20% of dropbacks, 24th in the NFL. As much as the secondary has seemed to struggle, a major factor is the inability of the defensive front to make the opposing quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket. In 2020, the defense managed to apply pressure on 25.5% of dropbacks, 10th in the NFL, despite blitzing on 25.5% of those snaps, a lower rate than in the two games so far.

NY Giants Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has to start mixing it up. The secondary added the likes of Adoree’ Jackson in free agency and have 2020 2nd round pick Xavier McKinney healthy to begin the season. It would behoove him to trust his secondary a bit more and blitz more often this Sunday, especially against an immobile quarterback like Matt Ryan.

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