Which is not a sample one would want to hang their hat on, but it is at least mildly surprising that we are 5th in the league right now on average yards allowed per game (326.5)
Sure hasn't felt that way!
Only the Colts, Ravens, Steelers and Saints are better so far.
At the other end of the spectrum -- and certainly no help to our defense -- is our rushing attack which is way dead last in the NFL at 52.0 yards a game. No one is close to that dismal stat.
At least we can say the Giants have been competitive, and didn't quit on their coach nor themselves after two weeks.
Perhaps by season's end, we'll all be singing the lyrics from the Grateful Dead song, "Truckin'":
Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me,
Other times I can barely see
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been
If rewatch those 2 10 yard gains by montgonery on the last drive, Lawrence and Williams were not in, as soon aa they came back they stuffed the run
With even just McKinney back there to help our secondary might have half a prayer.
As for the defense, there's some positives. No blatant blown secondary coverages to allow easy 60 yard TDs (sad that stands out as a positive, but it's a huge improvement over last few years)
Running defense has been OK, but has gotten gashed at bad times, like the Bears last drive yesterday.
We've gotten pretty good pressure despite rarely rushing more than 3-4 a play
Benny Snell gashed us and when we needed stops against the run, David Montgomery was able to get chunk yardage on that last drive.
On the flip side, I never thought Bradberry was a star but even without his spectacular interception yesterday, he has earned his money so far.
Some will say the Bears stink, but I don't believe that. They score like 26 on the Lions the week before. Plus we were stout against the Steelers until we ran out of gas
Benny Snell gashed us and when we needed stops against the run, David Montgomery was able to get chunk yardage on that last drive.
On the flip side, I never thought Bradberry was a star but even without his spectacular interception yesterday, he has earned his money so far.
Yup Bradberry's been great so far, Martinez has been good, Carter looks like he's taken a step up.
I think the other OLB spot has been really weak. Fackrell was active early yesterday, but overall he, Ximenes and Golden have done nothing (and at times, clearly blown off the ball during those drives you refer to when we needed to stop the run)
Yesterday I was disappointed in our run defense late in the game. They ate the clock and that was the only reason they won. We need to be more tide turning on both sides of the ball. We are fighters, scrappy and stingy but we do not turn the tide and enforce our will.
We currently are Steve Rogers before the Super Soldier Serum.
But the Bears are not a good football team, and it looked like when they needed a big 3rd down pick up they usually got it (9 for 16 on 3rd down). That's not a good sign for this D.
But the Bears are not a good football team, and it looked like when they needed a big 3rd down pick up they usually got it (9 for 16 on 3rd down). That's not a good sign for this D.
That TOP stat looks a lot more even if the Bears don't convert that ridiculous 4th and 1 in the 4th quarter with 4+ min to play.
yes
Bradberry looks to be the best FA signing in a long time. Different style but as impactful in his way as Jack rabbit and none of the noise (and a better contract too). He and Williams are the 2 best players on D by far and could be our first defensive pro bowlers in years. They look like 2 building blocks for the next few years.
Tomlinson Ryan and Martinez look like stable veterans. Don't see any making any pro bowls but they are reliable glue guys.
Carter, Hill, Holmes, and Love are all looking like positive contributors who can make positive plays - sacks, ints, etc. Before dismissing the value in that contrast them with Balentine who is clearly still way out of his depth.
Lawrence is perhaps a level above the other young guys mentioned but so far I've actually been a little disappointed with him given the higher level of expectation. I was hoping he'd be an immovable object in the run game like Haloti Ngata and he just hasn't been (yet). He should be in the grouping with Williams/Bradberry and I just don't see enough disruption from him yet.
the jury is still out on Graham but so far there are things to like. He has made changes quickly, like shadowing Robinson with Bradberry everywhere in yesterday's game. There haven't been any communication break downs. He has generated a pass rush by committee. They have been opportunistic creating turnover opportunities even going back to last week with the near fumble from Snell, to the FF by Ryan, and to the INT's/near INT's yesterday. big Ben and trubisky aren't the biggest tests he will face but they aren't the worst either. Next week vs. the 49ers 2nd team offense they need to have a big effort.
Still can’t get off the field on third down.
If Jones got a TD pass off with 2 seconds left and we won the game we'd all be singing praises. Two plays were the difference in this game along with the turnovers, of course.
I honestly believe we can beat a beat up SF team this week.
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and the NYG D got tired and was pushed around somewhat in the 2nd half. So they looked worse vs the run than they really were in that game because of those 2nd half run plays. They were OK vs the run overall in that game, and they were OK vs the run in the Pitt game too.
But the Bears are not a good football team, and it looked like when they needed a big 3rd down pick up they usually got it (9 for 16 on 3rd down). That's not a good sign for this D.
That TOP stat looks a lot more even if the Bears don't convert that ridiculous 4th and 1 in the 4th quarter with 4+ min to play.
Speaking of TOP, given that we are the league's worst running team so far, not surprising we're averaging a paltry 26:54 TOP through two games. Gotta think if that keeps up, our defense will not hold up very well.
With that said If we don’t miss that field goal all we have to do is kick another to win end of game.
With that said If we don’t miss that field goal all we have to do is kick another to win end of game.
My guess is they consider the OLB's the best pass rushers on the team, not the DT/DE. So they are just trying to put their best on the field in obvious passing downs, not Tomlinson/Williams/Dex
And it's a big MAYBE, but maybe if the Giants put together some semblance of a ground game, our defense will be that much better (not to mention the offense) and maybe we'll start winning close games!
I know that it seems strange to say that with the loss of Saquon Barkley, but stranger things have happened. The O-line has to get its shit together and start run-blocking better. If they do, I "think" good things could start to happen!