New York Giants Report Card: A Strong Finish
East Rutherford, N.J. -- Grading the New York Giants' 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Offense: A
We might never know for sure, but what we saw from the offense was likely what the Giants envisioned at the start of the season before things fell off the rails. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor overcame a thumb injury to finish with 297 yards, going 23 for 32, with one touchdown and one interception.
The Giants offensive line, missing Tyre Phillips at right tackle and John Michael Schmitz at center, allowed just two sacks, one of which came from the ball being held too long. The Giants rushing game finished with 109 yards on 30 carries, a 3.6 per carry average, but New York got two rushing touchdowns from Saquon Barkley as part of the deal.
Defense: A+
Thanks to a turnover, the Giants snuffed out an Eagles scoring drive in the first quarter. Cornerback Nick McCloud, getting the start for Deonte Banks, forced the fumble on a reception by receiver A.J. Brown and linebacker Micah McFadden recovered it, returning the ball eight yards. 9-yard Mccoud FF McFadden returned it 8 yards to the Giants' 19-yard line. The Giants finish the season with at least one takeaway in seven of their last eight games.
Bobby Okereke broke up a fourth-down pass to force a changeover on downs and recorded a sack for a loss of 12 on a second-quarter blitz. Dane Belton came up with a sack on a blitz. Overall, the Giants defense finished with five sacks for -37 yards, two interceptors, and two forced fumbles, recovered by New York. They also allowed 20 points or less for the sixth time this season.
Special Teams: A
Other than for MAson Crosby's missed 47-yard field goal that hit the upright, the Giants special teams didn't let Pro Bowl punt returner Brittain Covey or kickoff returner Boston Scott hurt them--this happening despite core special teamer Nick McCloud being needed more for defensive duties with Deonte Banks inactive due to injury for a second straight game. Gunner Olsweski did a nice job with his returns, looking as slippery as ever in eluding would-be tacklers.
Coaching: A+
If any of the Giants coordinators are on their way out the door. They sure did make certain to go out with a bang rather than a whimper.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka put together a beautifully balanced game plan featuring the run and the pass and had quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who throws such a beautiful deep ball, open things up deep in what was a glimpse of perhaps what the Giants coaching staff likely envisioned the offense looking like back at the start of the season before things went so far off the rails.
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who has been at the center of rumors of an eventual parting of ways due to alleged friction with head coach Brian Daboll, went after the Eagle's quarterbacks with blitz after blitz, daring Philadelphia to stop his defense (they could not). The result was five sacks for -37 yards, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles, recovered by New York.
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