As great as it was to see the NY Giants pull out a close win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, the game was far from perfect for Brian Daboll. The offense sputtered in the second half, while the secondary gave up some big plays from Deshaun Watson and Co. We hate to single someone out, but it was a day to forget for Deonte Banks.
The former first-round pick was tasked with trying to slow down Amari Cooper and he didn't have much luck in that department. Cooper had a strong performance, hauling in seven balls from Watson for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper's first TD was a thing of beauty, with Banks doing everything possible to force a PBU. The second score, however? Well, that one was a different story:
Amari Cooper scores his 2nd TD of the day.
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Amari Cooper took Deonte Banks to school in Week 3
Take a look at that clip above. Cooper and Banks are lined up on the bottom of the screen. The veteran wideout put a quick move on the second-year cornerback and caught the TD from Watson with ease. It quite literally could not have been easier for Cooper, with Banks coming nowhere close to making a play on the ball.
With Banks being CB1 for this team, he has the tough responsibility of taking on each opposing offense's No. 1 receiver. In the first two weeks, he did well against Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin, but he was brought down to earth a bit against the Browns.
Come Thursday night, Banks is going to have another tough challenge waiting for him in the form of CeeDee Lamb. The Dallas superstar is one of the best in the game, though it might help Banks knowing that the WR is coming off a rough game, which included Lamb calling out Dak Prescott in the middle of the action.
Those two having issues is good news for the Giants, but Banks is obviously going to be tested early and often. The talented CB needs to have a bounce-back game against Dallas, especially with this one coming in primetime. Everyone will be watching and hoping Banks can back the incredible swagger that he always plays with.