The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys played one of the more exciting games in recent Giants’ history ion Sunday. However, the ending was crushing. The overtime game saw 41 points scored in the fourth quarter, as Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson “cooked.” A 64-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal sent this game to overtime after Wilson connected on a 48-yard touchdown bomb to Malik Nabers, which was after a short George Pickens touchdown that happened just after the two-minute warning.
Both teams were heavily
penalized. The Giants committed 14 penalties for 160 yards, and Dallas committed 12 for 106 yards. New York went over 500 total offensive yards for the first time since 2011 – another game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants were the winners of that affair, but they failed to seize victory despite a valiant effort.
Here are the instant position-by-position grades.
Quarterback
This was a completely different Wilson than we saw in Week 1 against Washington – thankfully! Wilson finished the first half 17 of 20 for 235 yards with one touchdown. Wilson finished the game with 450 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. A Giants’ quarterback hasn’t gone north of 385 yards since Eli Manning against the Buccaneers in 2012.
He was dialing up explosive plays and deep shots; it was sensational, until it wasn’t. On the Giants’ final possession, Wilson threw a bone-headed interception that set up Brandon Aubrey’s game-deciding field goal as time expired in overtime. Wilson also had a devastating throw/fumble that set up a third-and-17 on the Giants’ first possession of overtime. Nevertheless, Wilson alleviated the noise calling for his job with a career outing that will be marred by late mistakes.
Jaxson Dart saw a handful of snaps in zone read situations. He had -3 rushing yards, but did get an assist on Skattebo’s 24-yard scamper that set up a touchdown.
Grade: A
Running Back
Rookie Cam Skattebo was much more involved in Week 2 and Devin Singletary received the first rep of the game.The rookie running back’s 24-yard burst set up the Giants’ first red zone touchdown of the season — a score he also finished off himself. Skattebo looked good, albeit the drop on fourth-and-2 was a rough one. Tyrone Tracy Jr. was still involved, but not nearly to the same degree as he was in Week 1.
Skattebo finished with 11 carries for 45 yards and Tracy five for 15 yards. Singletary had just one carry in the game (the first) and one catch that lost 4 yards. Tracy caught four balls for 34 yards, and Skattebo two for 14 yards.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver
Wan’Dale Robinson was the catalyst to the Giants offense, especially in the middle of the field. He caught eight of ten targets for 142 yards with multiple explosive plays between the hashes. Robinson’s late 33-yard touchdown gave the Giants the lead vs. Cover-3. We spoke often about Robinson’s deep usage through training camp – it was on full display against Dallas. Wilson is known for not targeting the middle of the field – NOT TODAY! For a receiver who was questionable heading into this game, Robinson stepped up big.
Darius Slayton had just two catches for 61 yards but his impact was well beyond those two plays. He drew two defensive pass interference penalties and help clear out space for Robinson and Malik Nabers underneath. Nabers secured nine catches (on 13 targets) for 167 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He had one “drop” on third down prior to the Robinson late touchdown, but the ball was behind him. Still, you would like for your star receiver to come away with that pass.
Grade: A+
Tight End
I was happy to see the Giants try to get Theo Johnson involved early in the game after his disastrous Week 1. Johnson caught three passes for 21 yards in the first-half. He finished the game with four catches for 34 yards. Daniel Bellinger did have a false start in the first-half; both Bellinger and Manhertz had some HIGH LEVEL blocks.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
We saw one of the biggest meltdowns ever with James Hudson III who committed multiple penalties of every variety on the Giants 16-play drive, which prompted Brian Daboll to force Hudson III out of the game. Hudson III found his way right back in the game, before committing another terrible penalty that forced rookie Marcus Mbow into the left tackle spot. The rookie held his own, and Hudson III was losing his mind on the sideline. A terrible look for many reasons.
However, the offensive line was better in Week 2 – much better. While they still struggled to move bodies on the line of scrimmage, they were able to create several impressive pockets for Russell Wilson, who was still sacked three times. Overall, it was a marked improvement.
Grade: B –
Defensive Line
The Dallas Cowboys averaged 4.8 yards per carry, as their starting back, Javonte Williams, rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries; some of those carries – including the 30-yard touchdown rush – were devastating. Dexter Lawrence received a lot of attention. Roy Robertson-Harris took two unnecessary roughness penalties with late hits on Dak Prescott; one wasquestionable, but it’s today’s NFL. Elijah Garcia had an impactful sack off a bull-rush late in the game that put Dallas in a terrible spot. The defensive line was not terrible in this game, just left something to be desired.
Grade: B-
EDGE
The Giants edge room is dangerous. It appears like Abdul Carter is held on almost every rush. Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux both sacked Dak Prescott, and the trio is a problem for every opposing offense. The trio of edge defenders made their presence felt all game as pass rushers and in the run game. They’re living up to their expectations, but the Giants are still 0-2.
Grade: A+
Linebacker
The Giants are very thin at linebacker. Micah McFadden was just placed on Injured Reserve and his replacement, Darius Muasau, left the game with a possible concussion. Practice Squad call up Swayze Bowman received snaps with the defense. Okereke had double-digit tackles for his second consecutive week. Still, he seems a tad slower than usual.
Grade: C+
Cornerback
Cor’Dale Flott had a fantastic first half against George Pickens and the Cowboys’ passing attack. Flott held his own and had his ups, as did Dru Phillips who came away with a massive interception in the game. Phillips added two pass break ups and made several big plays, including a late open-field tackle that forced a punt.
Phillips was beaten on a few other reps, including Kavontae Turpin’s touchdown. All of the Giants corners were grabby with their hands, and that drew several defensive pass interference calls. Paulson Adebo fell victim to one down the sideline against Pickens. Lamb feasted for nine catches for 112 yards, with two plays over the middle of the field against Okereke (underneath) and Tae Banks (overtop). Pickens caught five for 68 with a touchdown.
The secondary, in general, was not horrible. Some of the yardage surrendered late in the game may be attributed to Shane Bowen’s annoying penchant to play at insane depths, even though he’s facing a bionic legged kicker, with just a three-point lead to preserve. I loved seeing an actual interception, for once. All things considered, against these opponents, the Giants’ secondary was sufficient.
Grade: C+
Safety
Jevon Holland recorded seven tackles and Tyler Nubin five. Neither had many massive impactful plays. I will have better analysis of the pairing once I get my eyes on the All-22. Both had a few plays they wished they had back, and a few others that were well executed.
Grade: B-
Special Teams
The first of many penalties transpired on the Giants’ opening kick off, which negated a Gunner Olszewski return that went deep into Dallas territory. Tyrone Tracy Jr. returned five kicks for 132 yards (26.4 yards), and Olszewski’s lone kick return went for 29 yards. Olszewski also averaged 13.7 yards on three punt returns, which is solid.
Graham Gano did everything he was asked to do well and Jamie Gillan was better in this game than he was last week with a 45 punt average. The kick teams were also solid.
Grade: B+
