Week Two 2016: Giants vs Saints

The Giants racked up their second win in as many weeks as they beat the Saints 16-13. This was far from the barn burner that everyone expected it to be, but that doesn’t matter if you get the win when the clock runs out.
Before the kickoff, everyone thought this game was going to be these two teams scoring at will. However, that wasn’t the case as both offenses struggled more than Darth Vader trying to blow up a balloon. Despite their offensive struggles, the Giants still left the field with the victory.

You'd think the Empire could spring for a helium tank or something. This walking sleep apnea machine can't fill these up.

What Went Right
In a complete 180° from last season, the Giants won their game because of defense, special teams, and clock management. The defense and specials teams brought lawyers, guns, and money and bailed out the offense the entire game.
Coach McAdoo’s clock management at the end of the game was smart. It wasn’t gutsy, but it was pragmatic and safe. After the Giants fumbled three times, the last thing he wanted was another fumble with the game on the line. Even though the Saints’ offense wasn’t lighting the world on fire, giving the ball to Drew Brees with a minute left to drive down the field is ill-advised. He did the Steve Urkel thing, it wasn’t sexy, but it was very smart.

Good job, Big Guy!

Obviously, that Jonathan Hankins field goal block that was housed by Janoris Jenkins was the play of the game. It was a huge play that happened at a pivotal time. It was just after the third consecutive Giants’ fumble when things were looking very bleak for Big Blue.
Eli Apple played really well, also. He didn’t have an easy assignment with the New Orleans receiving corps, but he held his own.

Sterling Shepard’s performance was just that... sterling. Sorry I know that’s cheesy, but this kid is a baller. He loves making plays, and I'm really excited to see where his career goes from here. 
Despite having a huge fumble earlier in the game, Cruz made a man catch to set the Giants up with their game-winning field goal. By man catch, I mean he ripped the ball out of the defender’s hands to gain possession of the ball.



What Went Wrong
Fumbles, fumbles, fumbles. Having three fumbles in one game is inexcusable, and it usually leads to a loss. A team can’t make those kinds of mistakes and expect to win those games. The biggest of the three was Cruz’s fumble. After he caught the ball, he broke out to the open field, it was there where a defender came from behind and knocked the ball out of hands like a bully swatting a math textbook out of a nerds hands.

As much I showered Coach McAdoo with praise earlier, he did screw up something early in the game. McAdoodoo, that's what I’ll call him when he makes a mistake, decided to go for it on 4th down when the Giants were only a few yards from the end zone. The unsuccessful conversion ultimately didn’t affect anything, but those three points would’ve come in handy towards the end of the game. He did the Stefan Urquelle thing, it might have been "cool", but man was that a stupid idea.

NSFW

On To The Next One
This Sunday the Giants square off against the reigning NFC East champions, the Washington Redskins. Between their previous two performances, and rumored turmoil in their locker room, the 0-2 Redskins look to have a tough match up against the G-Men. 

The Giants’ defense can keep Cousins and company in check. I think they’ll play just as well as they did last week if not better. This new defensive line should plug up the run, and apply enough pressure on Captain Kirk for him to make mistakes.

What I would really like to see is the Giants offense finally playing up to the standard that we all know they are capable of.
I’m a bit worried about their running game this week. We have to see how Jennings’s hand will hold up after he injured it last week, and with Marshall Newhouse on the mend, all eyes will be on who takes over at right tackle, whether it’s Bobby Hart, or Will Beatty.
As for the passing game, I expect Cruz and Shepard to continue playing like they’ve been playing, and Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t been as stellar as he usually is. I know, if he made that catch last week I’d be singing a different tune, but he didn’t, so I’m not. Maybe this is the week where he turns it all around. Whether he thinks it or not, he definitely has the motivation to be great on Sunday.

Due to the Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman rivalry, this is one of the most hyped-up games of the season. How will they act towards each other?  I’d be surprised if anything goes down like it did during their last meeting. Odell learned a hard lesson about the repercussions of not keeping your cool, and I don’t think he wants to let his team down again.
Now there are murmurs of Josh Norman shadowing Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday. I find that interesting, because there has been so much talk about Norman just sticking with one side of the field. Is Washington so concerned with their “rematch” that they are willing to throw out their game plan because that’s what the fans and media want? If so, it’s no wonder why the organization is such a disaster.



So even though some people might be disappointed with the WWE ODB/Norman
story line, I don’t think that Giants’ fan will be disappointed by the outcome of the game. The Giants appear to be the more talented team, but this is NFC East and you have to be prepared for anything. If the Giants stay focused and protect “The Duke”, they will get the win and the Redskins will essentially be out of the NFC East running three weeks into the season.

Okay. Their rivalry isn't as bad a Michaels/Hart saga, but I'll keep my eyes peeled in case ODB gives Norman the Sweet Chin Music.