Lex: Epic Collapse by Giants (6-2) in Seattle, Enter the Bye Week
The Giants were the first team in NFL history to start 6-1 or better and have each of their first seven games decided by one possession. The Seahawks scored 14 unanswered points for a 27-13 victory. The Giants fell to 6-2, while the Seahawks improved to 5-3.
What We Learned About the Giants After This Week’s Loss
On Offense
The Giants started with three consecutive three-and-outs, totaling just three first downs and 46 total yards in the first half. That included just nine net passing yards and one third-down conversion on six attempts.
Daniel Jones, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, completed 17 of 31 passes for 176 yards and added 20 more on six carries. He was sacked five times. Darius Slayton led the Giants in receiving for the third time in four games, picking up 66 yards on five catches. Saquon Barkley, the NFL leader in yards from scrimmage, ran 20 times for a season-low 53 yards, including a one-yard touchdown in the first half.
The Giants were one of just four teams that started the same five offensive linemen in every game this season, but that streak ended Sunday. The team announced Friday that left guard Ben Bredeson and rookie right tackle Evan Neal are among the six players who will not play in Seattle. The linemen suffered knee injuries last week in Jacksonville. Like they did last week, rookie Joshua Ezeudu and Tyre Phillips replaced the guard and tackle, respectively.
Offensive lineman Nick Gates played for the first time since fracturing his left fibula and tibia in Washington on Sept. 16, 2021. Gates, who underwent seven surgeries, was added to the roster this week. He saw time as an extra offensive lineman and helped pave the way for Barkley’s touchdown run.
Giants Gridiron Affiliate Trophy Smack
On Defense
Rookie linebacker Micah McFadden, a fifth-round pick out of Indiana, registered his first career sack in the first quarter. The Giants had three sacks total on Geno Smith, including Leonard Williams’ first of the season.
After the offense punted on its first four possessions, the Giants’ defense provided a spark. Corner Adoree’ Jackson stripped the ball from Tyler Lockett and recovered the ball at Seattle’s one-yard line. Saquon Barkley ran in the team’s first touchdown of the game on the ensuing possession.
Geno Smith had thrown a league-high eight deep pass touchdowns entering Week 8. Lockett dropped what would have been the ninth on one play, but the wide receiver got redemption with a 33-yard touchdown that gave the Seahawks a 20-13 lead with 9:18 left in the game.
Veteran safety Landon Collins was elevated from the practice squad for the second consecutive week. Outside linebacker Elerson Smith, who injured his lower leg in a training camp practice on Aug. 14, was activated off injured reserve.
Special Teams
Jamie Gillan had a busy day at the office with two of his five punts downed inside the 20 in the first half alone. Justin Layne was responsible for pinning one of them at the two-yard line, leading to Jackson’s forced fumble and ensuing touchdown by Barkley.
Richie James lost two fumbles on punt returns in Giants territory. They led to 10 points for the Seahawks, including a touchdown that put them ahead by 14 points with 5:22 left in the game. James suffered a concussion on the second turnover.
Giants Stance On Trading
Schoen and Daboll address their team’s post-trade:
“I think [with] the timing of it all, they had to address us so we could have a normal, good practice,” Love added. “We all found out and it broke right before practice while we were getting ready. So it was a situation where I think they kind of wanted to get ahead of it.”
Big Blue fans were surprised by the move! With now Schoen and Brian Daboll re-inventing the franchise; is this simply one more move to extricate a previously struggling team from the thralls of a Gettleman era?
“I never want to take anything away from KT like I said he’s a talented player, but for us right now it’s just continue to have the same 1-0 mindset, fall in love with the process and go to Seattle and try to come out with a win,” Barkley said.
“The New York Giants have traded former first round selection receiver Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional third-round pick and a sixth-round pick. Former general manager Dave Gettleman selected Toney No. 20 overall last season after making a trade down from No. 11 with the Chicago Bears.” *See “Breaking News Giants Send Toney to Chiefs For 2 Draft Picks”
Will we see any more activity prior to the November 1st trade deadline? With the Giants franchise notable improvement… a fan can hope!
Should Giants Be Buyers Before The Nov. 1st Trade Deadline? #Draft #NFL #TogetherBlue #Giants #GiantsGridon — Giants Gridiron via “Lex” (@giants_gridiron) October 30, 2022