For what feels like an eternity, the NY Giants offensive line is reminding everyone of how poor they can look. After a solid showing vs. the Green Bay Packers, the exact opposite was on display in the brutal 24-6 loss to the Saints in Week 15.
In a must-win game for the Giants to keep their postseason hopes alive, the offensive line was downright abysmal, giving up seven sacks. We hate to call someone out here, but Justin Pugh was one of the main reasons why the OL looked awful, with Tommy DeVito having no time to make plays. Big Blue fans have seen just about enough of Pugh, blasting him and the rest of the line for their awful play.
Justin Pugh had a game to forget against the Saints
Pugh was 'signed off the couch' earlier this season, stepping into a starting role due to so many injuries on the offensive line for Brian Daboll. Pugh has started at multiple spots, but he's been at left guard for a while now. In NOLA, he got taken to school countless times.
Justin Pugh please go back to your couch
β Nicky Snacks (@NickySnacks_) December 17, 2023
Justin Pugh is not having a good game
β π ππ’ππ¨ (@BrianDabollMVP) December 17, 2023
When Justin Pugh signed I had some hope that he could be a potential Pluto-year contributor but heβs getting his ass handed to him
β Bunkhouse Buck (@ReallyTweezyB) December 17, 2023
Justin Pugh is playing awful so far today
β Big Blue United (@BigBlueUnited) December 17, 2023
Justin Pugh should retire.
β Jameson86 (@moyerm86) December 17, 2023
Justin Pugh is having the worst game Iβve ever seen from a lineman
β Billy Siemers (@BSiemers1993) December 17, 2023
Justin Pugh has been getting absolutely manhandled all day. Has been a total net negativeβ¦
β Big Blue Break (@NYG_break) December 17, 2023
If his calf isnβt healthy then why is he out there?#NYGiants
Normally it's Evan Neal who gets ripped like this on X, but Pugh really was terrible. He wasn't the only one, though, as rookie center John Michael Schmitz had the worst game of his young NFL career. It was disappointing to see the youngster take such a big step back.
As for Pugh, for the most part he has been pretty reliable this year - he was strong against Green Bay, no doubt about that. Unfortunately, he gave up several sacks and was even flagged for false start in the third quarter in brutal fashion.
With the loss, the Giants are now 5-9 on the year and any hope of a run for the postseason has been wiped away. With this essentially being a season-ending loss, it's only fitting the play of the offensive line is what put the nail in the coffin. The group still needs a major makeover.