The NY Giants defense rose to the occasion, and Daniel Jones lifted the offense past the Carolina Panthers in blowout fashion
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For the second consecutive week, the NY Giants were drastically undermanned, but were lifted by a signature performance from quarterback Daniel Jones and a swarming defense that stifled the Carolina Panthers throughout a 25-3 win Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
Despite running back Saquon Barkley, left tackle Andrew Thomas, wide receiver Kadarius Toney, and wide receiver Sterling Shepard all out due to injury, the NY Giants’ offense ground out a win, thanks in part to Daniel Jones’ arm, legs, hands, and a defense that produced a season-high six sacks.
Here’s a look at the NY Giants’ studs and duds from Sunday’s win over the Panthers:
NY Giants EDGE Azeez Ojulari: STUD
Sunday was without question Azeez Ojulari’s coming out party.
In the fourth quarter, with the Panthers clinging to faint hopes of mounting a comeback, Ojulari was downright unblockable.
With 5:43 left, Ojulari shed a blocker in the backfield and dragged P.J. Walker down from behind for a sack. Earlier, he bull-rushed into the backfield and sacked Sam Darnold after Darnold was flushed up in the pocket by Leonard Williams.
Ojulari’s five tackles were one shy from the NY Giants’ team-high on Sunday afternoon, and his 2.5 sacks were a game and career-high for the Georgia alum. He also produced four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss.
At this rate, Ojulari is developing into one of the NY Giants’ most disruptive front-seven defenders and could make a push for Defensive Rookie of The Year, if he continues to produce at this level.
RT Nate Solder: DUD
Each week it seems Nate Solder’s best days are further, and further in the rearview mirror.
Sunday, forced into action by Andrew Thomas being placed on injured reserve, Solder didn’t look like he belonged on an NFL field at this stage in his career.
In the third quarter, Derrick Brown burst past Solder with ease on an inside move for a sack of Daniel Jones, his fourth allowed so far this season. Brian Burns beat Solder and Will Hernandez on a stunt that led to an easy sack, earlier.
Entering Sunday’s game, Solder had already surrendered 21 pressures, and he’ll have several added to that total after this game.
QB Daniel Jones: STUD
Daniel Jones all but put the NY Giants offense on his back Sunday, against the Panthers, without Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and Sterling Shepard.
Jones stood tough in the pocket, despite absorbing two sacks and five quarterback hits, passing for 203 yards and a touchdown. That Jones was able to play a turnover free game, and remain poised and efficient in the pocket despite has key weapons being sidelined and his offensive line a sieve spoke volumes.
Until Devontae Booker broke loose for a 19-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Jones was the NY Giants’ leading rusher. Jones finished with 30 rushing yards.
But, as if his athleticism and versatile wasn’t evident enough by this plays from the pocket and on the run, Jones also pulled down a one-handed catch on a trick play near the sideline.
Performances like Sunday’s, under fire in the pocket and making an impact as a runner and receiver, underscore exactly why the NY Giants are so optimistic about Jones’ ceiling and why his teammates view him as one of the locker room’s strongest leaders.
RG Will Hernandez: DUD
The NY Giants had hoped Hernandez would be a steadying force at right guard, with so much turnover along the offensive line in recent weeks, but Sunday the veteran was anything but.
Hernandez was at least partially to blame for the aforementioned sack by Brian Burns on a stunt against Hernandez and Solder. He also committed an illegal man downfield penalty that took a big gain the passing game off the board … And a false start penalty.
From allowing pressure and committing costly penalties, Sunday was a dreadful, forgettable performance from Hernandez.
CB James Bradberry: STUD
It was easy to tell afterwards, that Sunday’s game meant a little extra to former Panthers cornerback James Bradberry.
Prior to Sunday, Bradberry had two interceptions and seven pass breakups, but against Carolina turned in his finest performance of the season.
In the third quarter Sunday, with the Panthers driving, quarterback Sam Darnold rolled out on 2nd down and 24 from the NY Giants’ 25-yard line and lofted a pass high over tight end Ian Thomas that Bradberry made a leaping grab on to pull down an interception.
Bradberry finished with two tackles, one interception, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery, making one of his more significant impacts to date this season.
DL Leonard Williams: STUD
These are the kind of performances the NY Giants paid Leonard Williams $63 million over the next three years for.
For the second consecutive week, Williams looked like the leader of the NY Giants’ defense and a dominant pass-rush presence.
In the early going, Williams bull-rushed into Sam Darnold’s face forcing Darnold to try to dump the ball off but instead the pass hit a Panthers lineman for an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone and a safety.
Williams essentially took up residence in the Panthers’ backfield Sunday, producing six total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits.
NY Giants RB Devontae Booker: STUD
Booker showed more burst Sunday than at any point in the season, and finally broke loose on a 19-yard touchdown run with 4:46 remaining the lifted the NY Giants to a 25-3 lead.
Finishing with a game-high 51 yards, Booker averaged 3.6 yards per carry, and helped provide some semblance of balance for an offense that was without Barkley, Toney, Golladay, and Andrew Thomas.
Despite failing to find the end zone inside the five-yard line in the first half, Booker more than made up for it with his barreling touchdown run in the fourth quarter that effectively put the game on ice.