EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Giants have struggled scoring the football consistently to start this season. New York looked like they had turned things around last week, with a 27-22 win over the Houston Texans. However, those offensive problems reared their head Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. When Drew Brees comes into town, you better be able to keep up offensively. New York was unable to keep up, and wound up losing 33-18 in disappointing fashion.
New York has now dropped to 1-3 on the season, and currently sits last in the NFC East. The general consensus around this team was that it was constructed to win now. After these first four games, you can’t help but question if this is really a playoff team. The probability of the Giants missing the playoffs has now increased to 83% (PlayoffStatus.com). Here are some of the key takeaways from yesterday’s loss to the Saints:
What Happened to Saquon?
- Saquon Barkley only received 10 carries and gained just 44 yards. Barkley did score a touchdown on a goal line leap, but for most of the game was held in check. It is very confusing as to how Barkley can receive such a limited amount of touches. Barkley did add six catches for 56 yards, but most of them were check downs from Eli Manning. The Giants offense is going to have to go through Barkley, to ease the pass attack for Manning. Most of the night it was hard for Giant recievers to create separation, due to the Saints not respecting the run game. Barkley has shown great vision running between the tackles and bouncing runs to the outside. For the Giant offense to stop sputtering, Barkley needs to have more touches.
Odell Visibily Frustrated
- There were many points during the game Sunday, where Odell Beckham Jr. showed his frustration. In our post game interview with him, he talked about how he feels he’s doing everything he can to get this team in the win column. “It’s a little disappointing when you have to leave like this … you work way too hard five or six days a week for 60 minutes of football … I hate to go out there and waste those 60 minutes.” Beckham Jr. finished with seven catches for 60 yards. The Giants’ stud receiver has yet to see paydirt this season, and needs to get going for this offense to reach its full potential. When Beckham Jr. is getting the football, it frees up other receivers and energizes this Giant team.
Penalties & Turnovers Get Ya Beat
- New York haven’t been playing winning football, and part of that reason has been self inflicted woes. The Giants have failed to play clean football and it has cost them this season. This past Sunday, the Giants were penalized six times for 67 yards. To add insult to injury, the Giants also committed two turnovers. When you are not playing your best football as a team, you have very little room for error. Key penalties on big offensive gains, and potential stops on third down demoralize a football team. With the offense not in sync, it is important for New York take care of the football and not give out free yardage.
Too Much Kamara
- Alvin Kamara is becoming one of the most explosive players in the NFL right now. The Giants did a good job of holding Kamara out the end zone in the first half. However, the defense got tired in the second half and Kamara took full advantage. Kamara finished the game with 134 yards rushing on 19 carries and three touchdowns. The Saints’ feature back also added five receptions for 47 yards. The Giants defense needs their offense to be able to stay on the field. Out of 10 drives the Giants had, only three of those had 10 or more plays. When the offense can’t stay on the field, it puts more and more pressure on the defense to be perfect. When you get tired as a defense you start missing tackles, and Kamara is not a player you can miss tackles with.
The Giants will look to bounce back against the Carolina Panthers (2-1) next Sunday in Carolina. If New York can find some answers on the offensive side of the ball, the defense will show up for them like they have been this season. Look for New York to get Beckham Jr. involved early, and continue the gameplan of getting the ball out of Manning’s hands quickly.
Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732
(Featured Photo Credit: Bobby O’Hara/PureSportsNY)