N.Y. Giants: No Pass Rush Offers Pockets of Opportunity

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Finally!

Week Three

D.C. Hogs   21

GIANTS     32

FINAL

NEW YORK GIANTS: Blitzes, Bend-Don't-Break, Beason, and Buffalo.

Forgive me if I'm not feeling giddy after beating the D.C. Hogs.  In truth, I was sickened by what I saw.  The longer I ponder Week Three, the more I'm inclined to think the Giants didn't win, so much as the Hogs lost.

• First off, a safety is no way to start a game; shame on Washington....
• Second, Washington had everything going their way until 3 turnovers respectively ruined the day.

They say time stands still for no one - unless you're playing the Giants.

For a third straight week, the defense provided the opposing QB an easy day at the office.  Despite repeated blitz attempts, they just can't generate a pass rush.  Kirk Cousins was sacked once, and was only mildly disrupted on 6 other occasions.  He otherwise had ample time to complete 30/49 passes for 316 yards.

Did I mention this is Kirk Cousins we're talking about, and that he accounted for all but 77 yards of Washington's total offensive output.

What really made my pigskin break out in a rash, though, were Washington's sustained drives.

Kirk Cousins threw the first of two picks during Washington's second possession of the game, but not before he marched 42 yards on 7 plays.

Their next possession resulted in their only punt of the day.

Then came Washington's final two drives of the 1st half:

• 10 plays, 54 yards - field goal.
• 13 plays, 61 yards - field goal

Kirk Cousins opened the 2nd half by marching the Hogs 42 yards on 7 plays before throwing his second pick of the game.

On their next possession, the Hogs drove 76 yards on 13 plays before fumbling the ball at the Giants 2-yard line.  The play ultimately went for a touch back, but was nevertheless a huge break for the Giants.

On their third possession of the half, they drove 74 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown.

In fact, the Giants were outscored 15-14 in the 4th quarter.

All told, the Hogs got off more plays, made more 1st downs, put together more drives, rushed for more yardage, and gained more total yardage than the Giants.

There's been a lot of bend don't break in the Giants performances.  Their 410 yards allowed per game rank #31, yet, they're ranked middle of the pack (#18) in points allowed.

Linebacker Jon Beason returned to the field, and afterwards said his knee was fine but sore.  He should benefit from the very same schedule he riled against leading into last Thursday's game, as he'll have had 10 days to rest and prepare for this Sunday's game against Buffalo.

Uani' Unga led the team in tackles last week, and made one of the two interceptions thrown by Kirk Cousins. Yielding time to Jon Beason might be a hard pill for him to swallow at this point.

Lastly, there is no doubt Buffalo's defense will attempt to eliminate Odell Beckham Jr. But what is the Giants defense gonna do Sunday that I can look forward to today?