Grading the Giants’ 24-22 win over the Packers on Monday at MetLife Stadium.
Offense
We now have the first fourth-quarter-comeback victory for Tommy DeVito (17 of 21, 158 yards, 1 TD). Holy smokes, what a story this rookie is fashioning. He ran for 71 yards and was not sacked once, showing much-improved pocket awareness. His 32-yard hookup with Wan’Dale Robinson (6-79 receiving, 2-36 rushing) on the final drive was a thing of beauty. Robinson also had a spectacular grab on the right sideline. Saquon Barkley (20-86, 2 TDs) nearly was the goat for his tripping fumble late in the fourth quarter. His teammates picked him up. A false start by extra blocker Sean Harlow turned a third-and-1 into a third-and-6 that was not converted when there was no push up front as Barkley was dropped for no gain on fourth down from midfield in the second quarter. Isaiah Hodgins made a tremendous grab in the right corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter. Going 3 for 10 on third down was not great. Rushing for 209 yards was pretty impressive. Tyre Phillips did an excellent job on OLB Rashan Gary.
Grade: B
Defense
Two more forced turnovers by this bunch. Jordan Love (25 of 39, 218 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was held in check. So was RB AJ Dillon (15-53). S Jason Pinnock was juked badly by Dillon on what turned into a 35-yard pass play. The entire defense, led by Kayvon Thibodeaux and Micah McFadden, lost the ball on Jayden Reed’s walk-in touchdown in the first quarter. Pinnock came back to yank down Love, allowing Thibodeaux to force a fumble that was recovered by Xavier McKinney in the second quarter. Pinnock later added an interception. A poor pass interference penalty on Cor’Dale Flott cost 27 yards and handed the Packers a field goal. Bobby Okereke had a huge tackle of Reed on a failed two-point conversion late in the game. Deonte Banks saved a touchdown with a third-down pass breakup.
Grade: B-plus
Special teams
Randy Bullock was wide right on a 48-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter. He came back in a big way, hitting a game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired. Lawrence Cager botched the kickoff return in the closing seconds of the first half, costing his team 29 yards in field position. Gunner Olszewski was leveled for a penalty as he was interfered with in the first quarter but was able to keep playing. Darnay Holmes forced a fumble on punt coverage that was recovered by Benton Whitley early in the third quarter. Bobby McCain lost sight of a punt that hit off his body to give the Packers the ball, leading to a field goal. Jamie Gillan angled a 50-yard punt to the sideline early in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C
Coaching
Brian Daboll is known as a guy who can develop quarterbacks and he is doing some job with DeVito — as is offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and QB coach Shea Tierney. Nice play design by Kafka on a direct snap to Barkley, who gave the ball to Robinson for a 32-yard pickup. Sticking with the jumbo blocking package on short yardage was painful to watch. Daboll won a replay challenge and gained a turnover on a fumble by Love. Wink Martindale’s defense did an excellent job in sudden-change situations and was put in a bad spot late in the fourth quarter.
Grade: A
Read more
