N.Y. Giants: Two Big and Two Blue To Be True

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK FOUR

D.C. Football   3

GIANTS        24

FINAL

Ask and ye shall receive ...

Prior to Sunday's game I left off saying:

The ability to run effectively is a fundamental pigskin necessity.  Between Wayne Gallman and perhaps rookie Jonathan Hilliman it would please me to see them join for 25 to 30 rushing attempts.  Not so much in an effort to beat Washington, but for sake of establishing offensive credibility in the weeks to come.  I can't speak for Big Blue's defense.  But I do know the best way of limiting their time on the field is for the offensive line to dominate the line of scrimmage.  Win time of possession for a change.  Get behind the Hog Mollies and at least try running with power.  If they create daylight Wayne Gallman will find it.  Then Daniel Jones can go about his job of being a good quarterback.

The Giants defense spends less than 24-minutes on the field!

That's because the offense achieves 24 first downs and possess the ball for over 36-minutes.  I understand Washington isn't exactly up to NFL standards, but who are we to judge.  They play the opponent in front of them.  The mission was to beat Washington, and the Giants did just that.  Wayne Gallman and rookie Jonathan Hilliman rush 28 times for 99 yards and a touchdown.  All told the Giants rush for 164 yards on 37 attempts, including 5/33 from Daniel Jones (16-yard gain eluding a sack).  Take away dandy Jones numbers and the Giants still rush 32 times for 131 yards, with seven rushing first downs.  Gallman also makes six receptions for 55 yards and a score, giving him 118 combined yards from scrimmage with two touchdowns.

That's how you seize the moment!

But I'd be remiss if I didn't rain praise upon the Hog Mollies.  I put Sunday's game squarely upon their shoulders.  They respond with a commendable effort.  The Giants are now 2-2 at the one-quarter mile turn as a result.  In addition to creating clock-controlling daylight, the offensive line yields no sacks and just four QB hits all day.  In turn Daniel Jones goes 23/31 for 225 yards (7.3 yards per pass), with a touchdown, and the first two INT's of his career.  It's good, in a way, that they happen and quickly get put behind him.  After all if you're not throwing INTs, you're not trying.  Otherwise Jones throws/runs for 13 first downs and completes 74% of his pass attempts.

Cycling back to the defense, make that six straight stellar quarters of football.  After limiting Tampa to three second half points, the Giants limit Washington to three points all game.  Washington QB's Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum join forces on 121 yards passing, and four INTs.  The Giants defense generates three sacks and eight other QB hits.  The Giants hold Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson to just 32 yards on 15 rushes.  Haskins winds up leading D.C. with 23 yards on the ground.

First round pick Dexter Lawrence quietly makes one tackle.  Third round selection Oshane Ximines has joined on a sack in each of the last three games.  Last year's third round selection B.J. Hill has yet to register a sack.  Janoris Jenkins and the rest of the secondary play well.  Julius Peppers in particular has a big day with six tackles and a pick-six.