New York Giants Tame Panthers in Home Opener

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

GIANTS WIN HOME OPENER

WEEK TWO

Panthers  16

GIANTS    19

FINAL

Defense Cages Panthers; Graham Gano Takes Care of the Rest

Two recovered turnovers started the game, and the Giant offense scored six points.  

The first fumble occurred during the opening kickoff to Carolina and was recovered by the Giants at the Panther 22-yard line.  On their first possession, the offense feebly netted four yards on three plays, then settled for a field goal, albeit for an opportune lead.  

Six plays into Carolina's next possession, Andoreé Jackson recovered a Robbie Anderson fumble at Carolina's 40-yard line.  One must think the ensuing drive was geared at Daniel Jones taking advantage of Carolina's mistake (lest we forget, this season will likely determine his NYG future).  Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka dialed up three initial pass plays for Jones, which only netted nine yards.  

This is when Coach Daboll again demonstrated his promised aggressiveness.  Jones successfully scrambled around the edge on fourth and one to pick up the first down.  Jones was then called upon to execute six of the next eight plays and got the Giants to the Carolina eight-yard line before the offense again sputtered.  Graham Gano then kicked his second field goal to give the Giants a 6-0 first-quarter lead.

Big Blue did not score in the second quarter, while the Panthers managed a pair of field goals to end the first half tied at six.

Daniel Jones indeed outplayed Baker Mayfield in the second half.  Neither quarterback threw an interception, and each connected for third-quarter scores.  After the Giants opened the second half with a three and out, Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to put the Panthers ahead.  Big Blue answered right back, as Daniel Jones connected with Daniel Bellinger on a 16-yard score.  But whereas Mayfield completed 48.2% of his attempts for 145 yards, Daniel Jones completed 64.7% for 176 yards.  

Jones was also sacked three times which makes eight sacks in two weeks.  But the Panthers still got another nine QB hits on Jones, and for now, any Giant offensive lineman not named Andrew Thomas is a prime reason.

As such, there was not as much daylight to be found up front as in week one.  Saquon Barkley does what he does and often creates his own daylight.  But the rushing consistency needed weekly will be regulated by the big guys up front.  Barkley rushed 21 times for 72 yards.  Take away his long of 16 yards; the math says he rushed 20 times for 56 yards with another 16 yards receiving for 88 overall yards.

The undisputed offensive star of the game was kicker Graham Gano who was 4 for 4 in FG attempts, including the decisive kick from 56-yards out with 3:34 left in regulation.

On Carolina's next possession, the Giants defense held the Panthers to twelve yards on four plays, forcing them to punt and effectively secure the victory.

Much of this game was reminiscent of week one against Tennessee, wherein the offensive performance lagged behind that of the defense (and their competition).  And like in week one, the defense remained stalwart throughout the contest while the offense experienced a second-half surge.

Playing without Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have scored a mere 23 points through two games.  Meanwhile, Dallas and the Giants have yielded 36 points each.  Therefore, I'm looking forward to a defensive struggle and for Daniel Jones to give us something to rave about come Tuesday morning.

N.Y. Giants: Daniel Jones Gets in Some Early Trick or Treating

From the desk:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK SEVEN

Panthers     3

GIANTS     25

FINAL

Sometimes You Just Have To Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

Was Week Five's bell-ringer at Dallas not an indication that this type of football is unsustainable?

Daniel Jones attempted 33 passes, ran the ball eight times, and caught one pass for 16 yards.  That's a full day's work.  But it's utter folly on behalf of the coaching staff who continue putting Jones in harm's way.

Of course, desperation sets in when you start the season with a 1-5 record.  A large part of the problem is the ten other offensive inefficiencies playing alongside Jones.  Injuries have indeed taken their toll.  I understand there needs to be a certain level of improvisation that must take place and that Daniel's activity just may have limited him to being sacked only twice and with five other QB hits.  

The problem is, Jason Garrett called a season-high 23 (non-QB) rushes, which is still not nearly enough.  What's the sense if Daniel Jones accounted for 25% of all run plays on Sunday, and on a trick play, they put him into position to absorb yet another open field tackle?

Seven of the Giants' 21 first downs against Carolina came via the run.  Devontae Booker is averaging 3.2 yards per rush this season behind an inferior offensive line.  He ran 14 times for 51 yards (3.6 AVG) against Carolina.

Why not run more?

Non-quarterback runs only account for 32.1% of all rushing plays from scrimmage.  Based on 127 non-quarterback rushes for 422 total yards (3.2 AVG), the Giants this season have averaged just 18 rushes for 60.2 yards per game.  Meanwhile, Daniel Jones is averaging 38 pass attempts (Dallas game not included) and six scrambles per game, accounting for 67.9% of all plays from scrimmage.

Receptions out of the backfield are equally impotent.  They account for only 15% of pass catches for 204 total yards or just 29.1 yards per game.  It's embarrassing when the backfield cannot average 100 yards per game via receptions and passing combined.  But truth be told, they can do more if Jason Garrett wills it.

Before going down that rabbit hole, I first demand that rookie offensive line coach Rob Sale do a better job.  Lest we forget, the Giants started last season with Marc Colombo, who was fired midseason by Joe Judge when the two experienced a significant disagreement in which it's been said they nearly came to blows.  Colombo was replaced with widely traveled former Giant assistant line coach (2004-2008) Dave DeGuglielmo.  In February, the Giants signed University of Louisiana-Lafayette offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Rob Sale.

To Sale's credit, Andrew Thomas is greatly improved, but injuries are proving ruinous.  Even then, the present times necessitate more be done to improve their collective performance.  This is about teaching and adapting and being creative on the fly.

And unless they want Mike Glennon taking snaps the rest of the season, I advise Giant coaches at the very least to teach Daniel Jones how to properly slide.

N.Y. Giants: Judge Renders A Bad Decision

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

DARK BLUE DAYS AHEAD

WEEK SIX

Rams        38

GIANTS     11

FINAL

Coaches Continue Putting Daniel Jones In Harm's Way  

Last week Jason Garrett put Daniel Jones in harm's way by calling a goal-line naked bootleg without left tackle Andrew Thomas on the field.  The result was Daniel Jones winding up in concussion protocol.  On Sunday, Coach Judge leaves Daniel Jones in a game trailing the Rams by 28-points after three quarters.  Both were bad decisions, only this time, the head coach escapes without incident.  

Joe Judge said he left Jones in the game for the sake of competing.  What he really did was make Daniel Jones attempt 51 inconsequential passes, all for no good reason.  It was a nice gesture, but with this offensive line, still somewhat foolish.  

Nate Solder was moved over to the left side in place of Andrew Thomas.  That's a threefold problem.  He already needs help from the tight end and backfield just to secure the right side.  It's problematic for Jason Garrett, who must cheat on formations and play call around Solder's inefficiencies.  In turn, it makes the Giants' offense very predictable.  If Nate Solder is switching over to the quarterback's blind side, you do not play Daniel Jones in a meaningless fourth quarter - not after Solder allowed a sack on the Giants' very first play from scrimmage.

Look, the Giants do not have an NFL grade tight end, period.  Argue with me if you will.  Saquon Barkley is out, and they played without Darius Slayton and Kenny Golladay as well.  Kadarius Toney injured his ankle during the Giants' first offensive series, and Andrew Thomas was likewise injured. 

If Joe Judge wanted to do something constructive, he should have turned to his offensive coordinator and told him to rush the freaking ball no matter the outcome.  Devontae Booker rushed twelve times for 41 yards, and Elijhaa Penny three times for 15 yards.  Together they averaged 2.7 yards per attempt.  All told, the Giants rushed 15 times for 55 yards.  However, Booker averaged 3.4 yards per rush - that's worth a potential first down.  How is that any worse than three INTs, a fumble, and 22 incomplete passes?  Not to mention, Daniel Jones was coming off concussion protocol and, in the game, absorbed unnecessary hits.  

Wrong decision by the head coach.

N.Y. Giants: New Dark Blue Achievement Under Gettleman's Watch

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

HOT SEAT UPDATE

Make Or Break Season For Gettleman Beginning to Crumble

Congratulations, Dave Gettleman, you just lost your 37th game as general manager for the New York  Giants!

In a sense, the 2021 season ushers in his fifties.  Which is to say he now owns a 16-37 record in 53 games since taking over the helm from Jerry Reese.  If I were to be kind, I'd add to his diary the Giants victory over Washington on Dec. 31, 2017, or not.

This coming December will mark Dave Gettleman's fourth anniversary.

In so far as progression, the season-to-season results speak for themselves.  Upon taking over a 3-13 team in 2017, the Giants have continued posting double-digit losses. Typically, doubling the team's win total is considered a good thing.  In this case, not so much.  From three to six wins is not a Big Blue step forward.

• 2018)  5-11
• 2019)  4-12
• 2020)  6-10 

The NFL extending the regular season to 17 games essentially gives the Football Giants another opportunity to lose.  They are presently 30% of the way through their schedule with a 1-4 record and no reasonable expectations for improvement, that is, not with all these injuries.  However, player availability or lack thereof, of course, is another discussion.  It still doesn't detract from the fact that under Dave Gettleman, the Giants have won just 30% of their games.

Sunday at Dallas posed a new low in the Gettleman era.  

Defensively, the Giants have allowed the fourth-most total yardage in football and the sixth-most rushing yards.  But for the first time since Gettleman assumed office, the Giants yielded forty-plus points in a game, regulation time or otherwise.  The Cowboys defeated the Giants by a 44-20 final score, tidied up only by a late Giant touchdown in the fourth.  If nothing else, the team's overall resiliency was to be applauded.  However, the last time the Giants allowed over forty points came on Nov. 5, 2017, in a 51-17 defeat against the Rams.   

It's incredible to me the Giants are listed twelfth in total offensive yardage.  Much of that credit can be directed at Daniel Jones, who has the Giants total passing yardage ranked eighth in the NFL.  However, as you can guess, their running game is eighth from the bottom.  

With Andrew Thomas, Nick Gates, Shane Lemieux, Ben Bredeson, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley, and Daniel Jones all hurt, be it short or long term, or in some cases out for the season, what's a beleaguered offensive coordinator to do? 

The question then begs to be asked: are the Giants better today than they were back on that November day four years ago?

The Giants have twelve games left.  Even if they win half of those, they'll still finish with double-digit losses.  And if they do win half a dozen games, they'll only surpass last year's win total by one.  At this sloth-like pace, the Giants hypothetically are still two seasons away from achieving nine victories, and another five seasons away from twelve victories, and so on, if you get my drift. 

Such is life under Dave Gettleman.

Rough travels ahead ...

N.Y. Giants: Week Five Angry Take

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK FIVE

Giants        20

COWBOYS  44

FINAL

Dazed and Confused

Let's see ...

I'm the offensive coordinator and already down three wide receivers (Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard).  In the first quarter, I lose my starting running back (Saquon Barkley), and I'm missing Andrew Thomas, my starting left tackle.  

I know; let me put my quarterback in jeopardy!

The play in which Daniel Jones was hurt was mindless, senseless, ponderous on Jason Garrett's part.  

Third and goal, two tight ends, a fullback, hand it off to Devontae Booker, and the Giants likely score.

But, no ...

Jason Garrett calls for a naked bootleg.  Jones sustains a helmet-to-helmet hit and is driven headfirst into the turf.  When Jones picks himself up off the ground, he's clearly disoriented, foaming at the mouth and wobbly on his legs.  Afterwhich he needed to be carted off the field and did not return.  

I've been saying for five weeks now: Daniel Jones cannot be the team's primary run threat!

I put this all on Jason Garrett.

N.Y. Giants: Onus is on Jason Garret to Elevate Saquon Barkley's Game

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

HOG MOLLIES STILL RUNNING IN MUD

Saquon Barkley: Playing Truth or Dare

Daniel Jones needs help, and truth be told, it's incumbent upon Saquon Barkley to supply much of it.  After all, that was Dave Gettleman's original vision, was it not?  Upon drafting Barkley, he said teams will stack the box and thus open up downfield opportunities.

'Memba?  I 'memba ...

Saquon Barkley has rushed 52 times for 186 yards through four games, averaging 13 carries for 46.5 yards per game.  Meanwhile, Daniel Jones is averaging 36 attempts per game.

His sixteen attempts against Atlanta are to date a season-high.  However, his two best efforts arguably came against Washington and New Orleans, in which he averaged over four yards per rush.

Barkley has caught 14 of 19 targets out of the backfield for 130 yards, giving him 66 total touches for 316 yards or 16.5 touches for 79 yards per game.

That's simply not enough.

First, we are forced to ask, is Saquon still playing through the lingering effects of last year's injury and recovery efforts?  We also have to decipher whether we're witnessing a lack of confidence and hesitancy on Saquon's part versus an ability to instinctually pound the ball between the tackles?  We just don't know.

If Saquon is indeed feeling 100%, then it's the offensive line that is still nowhere near creating enough daylight.  While Andrew Thomas is developing into an outstanding tackle, Nate Solder remains a liability at the other end, Will Hernandez is still not back up to snuff.  Ben Bredeson and Billy Price continue covering for the injured Nick Gates.

However, the biggest reason for the Giants inconsequential running game remains Jason Garrett's continued unbalanced attack, much less his play selection itself. 

If they're building up Saquon Barkley's workload on an incremental basis, we should soon be seeing Saquon rush twenty and 25 times per game.

This doesn't even bring into question why Devontae Booker only has seven rushing attempts for 22 yards.

N.Y. Giants: All Eyes on Daniel Jones and the Man Who Drafted Him

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

Broncos

vs.

GIANTS

Dave Gettleman Takes His Rightful Place In The Hot Seat

All eyes are on Daniel Jones.  By most accounts, last season was a step backward.  If you care to place some of the blame on losing Saquon Barkley in Week Two, I won't stop you.  In any event, entering his third NFL season, the Giants now need Jones to take a major leap forward.  

Dave Gettleman's job depends on it.  

The Giants last season rated second to last in offensive productivity.

Therefore, the general manager signed Kenny Golladay, picked up Kyle Rudolph and drafted wide receiver, Kadarius Toney.  They'll join regulars Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Darius Slayton, with Jason Garrett calling plays.

Is this collection of ball handlers playoff-caliber?

Insofar as the NFC East, maybe.  Conference and Super Bowl quality?  Hardly ...

But once again, the offensive line will be a decisive factor.  The best thing I can come up with is continuity.  I believe that's an important element in building offensive lines.  There's a level of choreography they must establish together as a unit.  Andrew Thomas, Will Hernandez, Nick Gates, Matt Peart, and perhaps the return of Nate Solder at right tackle have time together.  As such, I expect them to collectively function more effectively.  

But can they protect Daniel Jones and create daylight for Saquon Barkley?  Can this offense consistently make first downs, sustain possession, and limit the defense's time on the field?

Is this offense up for the challenge?

All this remains to be seen.

My true opinion: mediocrity rules the day.

Denver has a good defense.  I think the Giants get blown out Sunday.  There, I said it, and it's up to the Giants to change my mind.  

This will be Dave Gettleman's fourth season.  Forget being an NFC contender.  The Giants aren't even the best of the rest, not with a 15-33 record over the last three seasons.

Patrick Graham is doing a good job on the other side of the ball.  Last season the defense was forced into playing too many minutes.  This season, it's up to the offense to pull their fair share of the load.  That being said, this general manager must go if his collective draft choices do not help elevate the Giants this season.  

Hopefully, head coach Joe Judge, who has my full support, can show them the way.

Lest we forget, Wellington Mara's five-year rebuilding plan took two decades.  His son is entering year ten.

 

N.Y. Giants: Dave Gettleman Facing Fourth And Long

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SEASON FINALE

Cowboys 19

Giants     23

FINAL

The Eagles play dead, Washington wins their final game of the regular season, and the Giants are out of the playoffs.  

This is what happens when you place your football fate in the hands of another team.

The Giants didn't deserve to make the playoffs.  Everything else is just noise to me.  You're either a legitimate playoff team, or you're not.  As Bill Parcells always used to say, "You are what your record says you are."  

That makes the Giants a sub-par team.

So long 2020 ...

Hello?

John Mara meddled way too much during Eli Manning's last seasons with the Giants, and they're still paying the price.  Let us not forget what Dave Gettleman inherited from Jerry Reese.  But it's becoming time that Gettleman starts owning this continuing futility.

John Mara wanted to rally around Eli Manning one last time.  So Gettleman signed Nate Solder to a ridiculous contract, then drafted Saquon Barkley and Will Hernandez with his first two selections as the Giants' general manager.  

Afterwhich, Gettleman spent three of his next five picks selecting defensive linemen (Lorenzo Carter, B.J. Hill, R.J. McIntosh).  We mustn't overlook the useless selection of quarterback Kyle Lauletta in the fourth round.  But Gettleman also began breaking down the defense by trading Snacks Harrison, Eli Apple, Olivier Vernon, et al., and eventually letting Landon Collins walk. This is what I call conflicting agendas.  

Selecting Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick was questionable in 2018 and remains so today.  To be clear, Barkley's talent is not in question.  The issue at the time was philosophical and more about the team's direction.  I contend Mara's meddling in 2018 compromised Gettleman's cap flexibility and put his drafting a full year behind schedule.  Not coincidentally, after Gettleman traded Odell Beckham Jr. and installed Daniel Jones at quarterback, the Giants' owner(s) have been silent ever since.

With regards to those selected in the 2018 draft, we anticipate a healthy return by Barkley.  Left guard Will Hernandez was originally sidelined by COVID but was clearly struggling beforehand and never did win back his starting job.  Third round supplemental pick defensive back Sam Beals is even lower on the depth charts.  Meanwhile, Lorenzo Carter spent the 2020 season on injured reserve.  Neither B.J. Hill nor R.J. McIntosh has achieved starter status in the Giants 3-4 scheme.  They play behind 2017 second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson, trade acquisition Leonard Williams, and left end, Dexter Lawrence, selected in the first round of the 2019 draft.

Dexter Lawrence (think Odell Beckham Jr. trade) was the second of a trio of first-round selections for the Giants.  Of course, 2019's first pick was used to select Daniel Jones.  Cornerback Deandre Baker was Gettleman's third first-round selection but is no longer with the team (which deserves its own narrative). Without a number two pick, Oshane Ximines was drafted in the third round as a defensive end.  When that didn't work out, Ximines was moved to linebacker but wound up another casualty on the injured reserve list.  Julian Love and Darius Slayton are keepers, whereas Ryan Connerly and Corey Ballentine are both gone.  Lastly, seventh-round selections George Asafo-Adjel and (and yet another failed defensive lineman) Chris Slayton are nowhere to be found.

The 2020 draft was another mixed bag of goods.  Selecting three offensive linemen within the team's first five picks was impressive.  Andrew Thomas was the fourth overall selection of the draft.  His season was filled with both good times and bad, but I expect he'll improve.  Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux came on strong as the season progressed.  In fact, Lemieux's effective play kept Will Hernandez on the sidelines.  Gettleman, with his second and fourth picks, selected Xavier McKinney and Darnay Holmes.  Gettleman then drafted four linebackers with minimal impact.

I'm going to credit Dave Gettleman with ten draft hits in just under thirty attempts.  Keep in mind a player's best ability is his availability.  If a player is hurt, that player is probably not on my list.  Otherwise, the respective levels of success are debatable:

1. Saquon Barkley
2. Will Hernandez
3. Daniel Jones
4. Dexter Lawrence
5. Julian Love
6. Darius Slayton
7. Andrew Thomas
8. Xavier McKinney
9. Matt Peart
10. Shane Lemieux

One thing Gettleman cannot be criticized for is ignoring the offensive line.  You wanted hog mollies; you got hog mollies.  However, his draft selections at linebacker and defensive line have mostly been terrible.  His choices for the secondary have been hit or miss.  Insofar as the 2020 season, the 2018 draft proved largely inconsequential.  The 2019 draft at least yielded four starters.  If I'm not mistaken, Darius Slayton is Gettleman's lone wide receiver selection through three drafts.

The main takeaway from the Odell Beckham trade remains Dexter Lawrence.  While Jabrill Peppers has been more than serviceable, the aforementioned Oshane Ximines has not.

The upside to acquiring Leonard Williams from the Jets now rests in Gettleman's hands.  To pay him, or not, is the question.  Williams, at 26-years old, enjoyed a career season with the Giants.  In twelve starts and sixteen games, he set career highs with 11.5 sacks and 30 QBhits.  His 29 solo and 28 assisted tackles were his most since (2016) his second year in the league.  Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson are both headed towards free agency.  It's hard to imagine the Giants signing both.  And so, we cycle back to the draft and Gettleman's generally poor history of drafting defensive linemen.

After the 2021 season, the office of general manager will likely need revisiting anyway.  First and foremost, Gettleman's age and well being must be taken into consideration.  But for as long as he feels up for the task, then the Giants are 15-33 (.312) during his tenure.  

Isn't it odd how his win percentage and his rate of draft hits are alarmingly similar?

His next draft will be his fourth as general manager of the Giants.

N.Y. Giants: Danny Dimes Dinged, Dented, and Down in the Dumps

From the desk:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SOPHOMORE JINX OR JUST PLAIN BAD

Make that two inexplicable performances; this game and their 36-9 loss earlier this season against the Niners; a pair of games wherein the Giants looked completely out of sorts.  

There is no sugar-coating Sunday's performance.  The offensive line was terrible; Daniel Jones was terrible; the receivers were terrible.  Everyone involved on the offensive side of the ball, coach Garrett included, were terrible.  It's not like the Giants were opposed by the Steel Curtain.  Instead, the Giants' level of ineptness was the story of the day.  The offensive line surrendered a season-high eight sacks for a loss of 64 yards and another eleven QH hits for good luck.  Some of it was their fault; some of it the quarterback's fault.  The main point is three different Cardinals' linebackers accounted for all eight solo QB sacks.  Which is to say, across the board, Giants lineman and the backfield failed at their assignments and secondary assists.  Andrew Thomas endured an awful day, easily his worst game to date.  However, it would be wrong to single him out.  This was a system-wide failure, a short circuit they need to troubleshoot and clear by next week.

Or so we hope ... 

Entering Sunday's game, I suspected Daniel Jones' compromised hamstring would at least provide a test of his pocket passing abilities, and the results are in.  His internal clock clearly remains on snooze.  He was sacked six times.  Not only did Arizona sack Jones from his blindside, but they sacked him from his front side as well.  It seemed to make no difference as both tactics caught Jones in the same clueless state of mind.  When not being driven into the ground, Jones attempted a season-low 21 passes resulting in a season-low eleven completions.  His 127 passing yards mark his second-lowest output of the season.  Jones also fumbled three more times, twice resulting in turnovers.  On one occasion, he fumbled without so much as being touched (very reminiscent of being tackled from behind by the invisible man).

Truth be told, Daniel Jones has demonstrated the least improvement this season.  Last season he threw for 3,027 yards in twelve starts (and one relief appearance).  Five times he eclipsed 300 yards passing and closed out the season with two such games in a row.  This season he has so far failed to throw for 300 yards through the same number of games.  His 2,462 yards passing are 565 yards shy of last year's total with just three games left in the season.  He would need to average 188 yards per game to merely match last year's output.  Meanwhile, he has so far averaged 205 yards per game but failed to eclipse at least 200 yards passing in five of twelve games.

In the absence of any real improvement or progression to speak of, sophomore QB Daniel Jones, perhaps more than any player on the team, needed this last quarter-season to validate his claim as the starter and prove he is not in regression.  But he entered Sunday's game with a barking (right) hamstring, and now word comes down he is experiencing an extremely sore left ankle.  What is a beleaguered quarterback, head coach, and general manager to do?  

If nothing else, luck appears to be on Daniel Jones' side.  He'll be playing feeling less than 100%, but it's improbable Dave Gettleman selects another quarterback in next year's draft.

Therefore, Jones has three more games left to steer this narrative in a more positive direction.

N.Y. Giants: Head Coach Reads and Reacts to Deficiency in Coaching Ranks

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

JUDGE RENDERS HIS DECISION

That settles it ... Joe Judge has an ally in me.  

I previously said that I would wait till after the season to pass judgment.  But with the defense surprising everyone, the offense progressively coming around, and the head coach taking a member of his staff to task, I'm sold.

Marc Colombo is now the former offensive line coach of the Giants.  After a heated discussion with Joe Judge, the Giants' first-year head coach fired him in a move Judge claims is both in the short and long-term interests of the team.  Colombo is the former offensive line coach of the Dallas Cowboys who came to the Giants at Wayne Garrett's behest.  Mind you, Colombo at Dallas was handed an already heavily invested and talented offensive line.  Where did that get them ...

Apparently, Joe Judge over the last four weeks has been taking a more active role in coaching up the offensive line.  If that was not perceived as an affront by Marc Colombo, then perhaps hiring the more familiar Dave DeGuglielmo as an assistant offensive line coach was.  Said another way, Colombo was never a Joe Judge guy, to begin with.  It's evident, now, Judge's lack of confidence in Colombo inspired him to take proactive measures.

What has transpired on the field in recent weeks makes much more sense when framed in this context.  If you're down with DO IT FOR THE DUKE, then you know I've been harping on the running game since Week One.  After failing to breach 100 yards in their first three games and four of the first five, the Giants have now rushed for 100+ yards in five consecutive games and six of their last seven.  In fact, they've now exceeded 150+ yards in two straight games and three times in their last four (twice against PHI and once against WAS).  They now are out-rushing their opponents this season by a slim +96 yard differential and rank 14th in rushing attempts, 16th in yards per game, and 11th in total yards gained.  Looking back, it indeed seems as if the rushing turnaround is the result of Joe Judge's intervention.

A man with conviction, a head coach with broad oversight, and laser-focused superintendence, I like it.

Left guard Will Hernandez contracting the corona-virus also created another development - namely playing time for Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux who have been rotating with Andrew Thomas on the left side.  Andrew Thomas, of course, was handed the starting left tackle position right out of the draft and struggled early.  However, he likewise has put together a series of sound performances in recent weeks.  

It begs the question: can this be chalked up to coincidence, playing experience through ten games, or did Joe Judge realize his offensive line was in the hands of an unqualified coach?

N.Y. Giants: Daniel Jones Remains the Outstanding Problem

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK EIGHT

Bucs      25

Giants   23

FINAL

Eight Weeks Left For Daniel Jones To Rewrite His History

Once again, the Giants put themselves in a position to win.  Some would argue they are thwarted by a controversial non-pass interference call with 0:28 left in the game.  If they successfully execute a two-point conversion, the game is tied.  There's certainly something to that. 

Instead, the Giants fall to their seventh loss of the season.  That's the true reality of the situation.  But I'm not down.  After all, this is a rebuilding team, right?  

Despite their unsightly record, I see improvement.  Under Coach Graham, while bereft of linebackers not named Blake Martinez, the defense starts the season well and has only gotten better.  Special teams are fundamentally sound, and in the absence of Saquon Barkley, the running game, albeit padded by Daniel Jones, has rushed for 100+ yards in four of the last five games.  

However, pass protection still leaves much to be desired.  Tampa Bay sacks Jones three times and inflict another eleven QB hits for good luck.  The Hog Mollies this season have allowed the eighth-most sacks, yielding 2.9 per game.  

Left tackle Andrew Thomas is having a rough go in his rookie season, while left guard Will Hernandez was already playing below his own standard before being sidelined by COVID.  

But make no mistake.  Daniel Jones remains an outstanding problem on offense.  The longer it takes for him to set his internal alarm clock, the more he'll continue getting his bell rung by opposing pass rushers.  Jones has now been sacked 51 times in his last 16 games.  

With two more interceptions against the Buccaneers, Daniel Jones now has 35 turnovers through his first 20 career starts.  He is up to 13 turnovers this season through eight games.  Jones gallantly went toe to toe with Tom Brady, but ultimately shot himself in the foot, again.  The first interception is completely avoidable and an otherwise inferior decision by an NFL quarterback.  The second interception takes the Giants out of field goal range - failure to seize the moment. 

Time is indeed ticking.  Eight games remain in the regular season.  Said another way, eight games left before the next NFL Draft.  That's eight games left for Daniel Jones to prove himself worthy of the starting job.  This isn't the first time Jones put the Giants in a position to win only to flip the switch and self-destruct.  Time to prove himself is growing short.  Looking back is no help ... not with 20 fumbles in his last 16 games.  That certainly doesn't speak very well.  Nor does the fact that he is yet to throw for 300 yards this season.  

Today's NFL is a pass/fail condition.  That's just the lay of the land.  Alas, he has the next eight games to finally impress people and change some minds.  For the moment, Daniel Jones is a defective item more than a valued good.  Twenty starts worth of product testing have thus far revealed a lack of pocket presence, latent situational instincts, and poor decision making .. to say the least.

Thirty-two quarters of regulation football remain.  The more games Danny Dimes wins, the farther down the Giants fall in the draft order.  He is effectively his own anti-tank weapon against Dave Gettleman.  With no shot at (Clemson) Trevor Lawrence, it's more likely Daniel Jones remains safely at quarterback.

But can he win over the naysayers ...

PIGSKIN 2020: Week Seven

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY
Week Seven

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Scoreboard

Week Six Record:  6-7

Overall Record ATS:   43-33-2 (+8)

Schmear of the Week:  2-4 (-6)

Bagels in the Basket:  +2

1st and Ten

• COVID: Raiders send home entire offensive line after one player tests positive.
• COVID: Saints WR Emmanuel Sanders; under quarantine; out for Sunday. 
• Dolphins rookie QB Tua Tagovailo will make first NFL start.
• Le'Veon Bell's first game with Chiefs?
• UNDEFEATED: Steelers, Titans, Seahawks.

2nd and Short

• Second Chance: Bucs sign WR Antonio Brown; possible debut in Week 9.
• Double Whammy: Ravens sign Dez Bryant to practice squad and trade for (steal) pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
• Deuces Wild: Adam Gase in 22 games as head coach of the Jets has now lost twelve games by double-digits.
• Double Take: Did you see what the Bucs did to the Packers?

No Gain

• NYG: Giants trade LB Markus Golden to Cardinals for 2021 6th round pick.  This coming on the heels of LB Lorenzo Carter's season ending injury (Achillies) while LB Oshane Ximines remains out with a shoulder injury.
• Ryan FitzTragic upset his job was taken away.
• Vikings mailing it in.  Trade their top pass rusher; conditional 2021 3rd round pick and 2022 5th round pick from Baltimore.
• Danny Jones gets tackled by the invisible man on Thursday night. 

PUNT!

• Former Niner Dana Stubblefield is going to jail.  Wait till they do to him what he ...
• Odell Beckham banned from LSU football facilities for two years.
• The Jets are the lone NFL team without a win.
• Anonymous Cowboys player unleashing on Mike McCarthy and staff - "totally unprepared .. they just aren't good at their jobs."  Put a name to it, soldier!

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

GIANTS      21

EAGLES      22

FINAL

DANIEL JONES: RUMBLING, STUMBLING & FUMBLING

If nothing else, the Giants have been competitive.  They're not getting blown off the field.  A top third albeit unexpected defensive performance this season is seeing to that.  In fact, on several occasions this season the Giants put themselves in a position to win, as was the case in Thursday's game against the Eagles.  But that's where the positives stop, and the more negative aspects of Danny Jones' performance begin.

The Giants trail 22-21 with 0:28 seconds left in the game.  They have the ball 2nd and 12 from their own 23 yard line.  From the shotgun, Jones is sacked six yards behind the line and fumbles.  The Eagles recover.  Throw in an interception, and Daniel Jones has now turned the ball over 34 times in his first 20 games as a pro.

Otherwise, Jones for the fourth time this season fails to exceed 200 yards passing.  He is 20/30 for 187 yards, with two touchdowns, and one (deflected) interception.

Try this on for size: Arizona second year quarterback Kyler Murray and perennial 1,000 yard receiver DeAndre Hopkins have joined for 47 receptions (61 targets) for 601 yards.  Second year quarterback Daniel Jones and second year Darius Slayton have joined for 27 receptions (48 targets) for 429 yards.

Just saying ...

The Giants rush for 160 yards.  However, Jones accounts for 90 yards.  Devonta Freeman, Wayne Gallman and Dion Lewis join together on 16 rushes for 65 yards.  Now we're talking about a sub par effort.  Rookie LT Andrew Thomas has perhaps his worst game to date.  The running game clearly leaned right, and away from Thomas.  The offensive line yields three sacks and another eight QB hits. 

At 8:51 of the third quarter, Giants have the ball first and ten at their own twelve yard line.  Danny Jones takes the snap from center and rumbles right side through a gaping hole.  Upfield he goes with nary a defender in sight.  About 67-yards into his jaunt he begins to get a little wobbly and at the eighty yard mark stumbles flat on his face, as if tackled from behind by the invisible man.  The Giants nevertheless score a few plays later to take 14-10 lead.  But the folly of it simply can not go unspoken. 

• Saquon Barkley scheduled for surgery on Oct. 29, to repair a torn ACL.

WEEK SEVEN

Friday Line ~ NYP/MGM

Bills -12 JETS

Talking about the Jets is officially boring ... great week for Buffalo to recoup some confidence.

Loss  18-10 Bills

Browns -3 BENGALS

The Browns couldn't ask for a better way to follow up last week's ass whooping at the hands of the Steelers.  I have more confidence in Cleveland coaching than I do their players.  Browns are still learning how to win.  Let us see is the teacher gets through to the pupils.

PUSH  37-24

NO NAMES -1 Cowboys

My propensity to pick the NO NAMES (ATS) this season is somewhat unexplainable.  Their defense still intrigues me.  I can just smell Alex Smith.  I'm hoping when it rains it pours on the Cowboys.

WIN  25-2 D.C.

Lions +2 1/2 FALCONS

Stay socially distanced from this game ... it just screams of contamination.  I still don't know what to make of Atlanta's defense.  I think we know what we're getting with the Lions.  Matt Patricia's seat is gonna start heating up any week now.  Desperation is a hell of a motivator.

WIN  23-22 Lions

SAINTS -7 1/2 Panthers

Demise of the Saints has been greatly exaggerated.  They are coming off a bye and have more offensive balance and a better defense.  Panthers are one of the poster children of parity.

Loss  27-24 Saints

Packers -3 1/2 TEXANS

Can't think of an angrier team this week than the Packers ...

WIN  35-20 Packers

Steelers +1 1/2 TITANS

I don't know why I keep siding against the Titans.  They're building the very team I've been screaming for the Giants to build.  Smash mouth!  Titans balance and Pittsburgh's defense keeps this close.  Big Ben is the wild card.

WIN  27-24 Steelers

Niners +1 1/2 PATRIOTS

There is not a person alive who knows Jimmy G better than Bill Belichick.  He'll think of something, he always does.  But, do the Patriots still have the personnel?  That has come into question these last two weeks.  Great time for Jimmy G to stick it to the Patriots while they're down.

WIN  33-6 Niners

Chiefs -9 1/2 BRONCOS

A snow game?  The Chiefs are clearly saving a few tricks up their sleeves.  Another way of saying we haven't seen anything yet.

WIN  43-16

Jaguars +7 1/2 CHARGERS

Toilet Bowl VIII ... I think this spread is a bit too generous.  Chargers probably win by a closer margin. That half point means a lot.

Loss  39-29 Chargers

Bucs -3 1/2 RAIDERS

This game is just bad timing for the Raiders.  The very well rounded Bucs are flying high after defeating the Packers.

WIN  45-10 Bucs

Seahawks -3 CARDINALS

Kyler Murray engineered a wacky victory last week against the Cowboys.  The week before that he defeated the Jets.  Time for a wake-up call. 

Loss  37-34 Cardinals

Schmear of the Week: (2-4)

Browns -3

Push

Good luck and have a great Football Sunday everyone!

Post Game:

Week Seven Record:  7-4-1

Overall Record (ATS):  50-37-3 (+10)

Schmear of the Week: 2-4-1 (-6)

Bagels in the Basket:  +4

N.Y. Giants: The Thrill of Victory Number One

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

JOE JUDGE WINS FIRST GAME AS HEAD COACH

WEEK SIX

No Name    19

Giants        20

FINAL

GIANTS OFFENSE STILL SPUTTERING

Joe Judge in his sixth try finally earns his first win as head coach of the New York Giants.  

It wasn't pretty by any stretch.  In the closing moments the defense steps up to thwart Washington's last ditch two point conversion attempt.  Big Blue comes away with a 20-19 victory at empty MetLife Stadium.  Aesthetics aside, a win is a win is a win.

Congratulations to Coach Judge. 

I like his demeanor and his message and he has my support.  I'm far more agreeable with Judge at the helm than I was with Pat Shurmur and especially Ben McAdoo at the controls.  Otherwise, I will give Judge his grade at the end of the season and not until then.

In the meantime, the team's 1-5 record more than anyone else is most reflective of Dave Gettleman and the talent he has so far assembled.  Therefore my attention remains on the general manager and next year's batch of draft selections.  That being said, the performance of Daniel Jones will go a long way towards swaying Gettleman's decision making.

On Sunday Danny Dimes once again falls a few pennies short of cashing in.  His performance is a tale of two halves.  He is good in the first half, not so good in the second, particularly down the stretch.  That's been a problem throughout the season.  Dreams of the quarterback and offensive line progressing together, in sync, are given a glimmer of hope when in the second quarter Daniel Jones throws his first touchdown pass since the opening week against Pittsburgh.  Looking to build upon a 13-10 lead in the closing minute of the third quarter, the Giants are positioned first and goal at the Washington seven.  Jones fires towards the back of the end zone as if to throw it away and is instead picked off.  The Washington No Names then go on a 14 play drive which stalls but nevertheless results in the game tying field goal.

Jones completes 12 fo 19 attempts for 112 yards, with one touchdown and the one interception.  It is Daniel's sixth INT of the season and the 18th of his career.  He has now turned the ball over by INT or fumble in 17 of 18 pro starts.  Add in 22 career fumbles due to pass pressure and when rushing and you have forty gross turnovers.

This also marks the third time in six games Daniel Jones has failed to achieve at least 200 yards passing.  He has yet this season to throw for 300 yards.  His best two games to date were the first two games when he throws for 279 yards against the Steelers, then throws for 241 yards against the Bears.  Since then he's been averaging just 18 completions and a sub par 175 yards per game.  In twelve starts last season he posted five games of 300+ yards passing.

Up front, the hog mollies limit a disruptive Washington pass rush to a lone sack and just five other QB hits.  That's improvement.  But there's a twist.  Rookies Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart share near equal time at left tackle.  We later learn Thomas was being disciplined for violating team rules.  Neither one allows a sack.

The Giants technically rushed for 132 yards, marking their second highest output through six games.  However, I do not include Daniel Jones who this time runs for 74 yards on seven carries.  Thus, Devonta Freeman is responsible for the entire Giants running attack, gaining 61 yards on 18 carries.  The Giants run left five times for 34 yards behind Thomas, Peart, and Will Hernandez.  They net one yard on two attempts up the middle.  Eleven times they rushed right for 26 net yards behind Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming.  Said another way, they averaged 6.8 yards rushing left and only 2.3 yards rushing right.

After amassing exactly 300 total yards for the first time last week against Dallas, the Giants offense only manages 240 total yards against Washington.  They're averaging just 275 yards of offense per game.

With the defense accounting for one touchdown, the offense manages just 13 points.  They've scored just six touchdowns through six games and are averaging just 17.5 points per game.  The good news is they've now gone back to back weeks scoring 20 points or more. 

Meanwhile, the less I speak about the defense the better they play.  Carry on, fellas.

N.Y. Giants: End Zone Continues to Elude Daniel Jones

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

DAYBREAK!

GAME FOUR

Giants     9

Rams    17

FINAL

Nick Gates Announces His Presence With Authority

Game Four features an interesting development and it centers around ... the center, Nick Gates.  

The rushing game (backfield participants only) through the first three weeks clearly leans heavy right.  Out of 39 total rushes eleven go left, seven up the middle and 21 rushes go right behind Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming.  As the trend implies, the Giants rush for minimal positive yardage center/left behind novice center Nick Gates, third year Will Hernandez and rookie Andrew Thomas.  

On Sunday against the Rams and defensive end Aaron Darnold, the Giants buck that three game trend.  Jason Garrett runs right at Darnold and the Giants put up their best rushing totals in four weeks with 136 yards on the ground.  Daniel Jones accounts for 45 yards on six carries.  Devonta Freeman (11), Wayne Gallman (6), Dion Lewis (1) and C.J. Board (1) run for a season high 91 yards.  Seven rushes go left behind Andrew Thomas and Will Hernandez for 29 yards, and nine rushes go up the middles behind Nick Gates for 53 yards.  That's 82 yards of daylight created by the middle/left side - indeed a milestone accomplishment for this group.

Only two rushes go right for eight yards.  I would have stopped there were in not for a pair of offsides penalties called against Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming plus the fact that for a series in the second quarter rookie Matt Peart was inserted into the line in place of right tackle Cam Fleming.  All of which makes for a curious albeit acute situation.

With five more sacks by the Rams, the offensive line has now yielded 14 quarterback sacks.  Their average sack per game ranks 30th in the league.

At the end of the game Golden Tate and L.A.'s Jalen Ramsey get into a full blown fight.  The obligatory dog pile ensues.  Then along comes Nick Gates with no helmet barreling into the crowd, pulling and shoving bodies aside.  After creating the most daylight for the running game he looked as if he wanted to knocks someone's lights out completely.

Giants need more guys like this ... clone him.

Cycling back to the game, the offensive line yields five more sacks.  They have now allowed 14 quarterback sacks in four games.  Their average sack per game ranks 30th in the league.

That said, we know Daniel Jones is often negligent in his own undoing.  Trailing 17-9 the Giants have the ball on the Rams 18-yard line with 0:52 left in the fourth quarter.  A touchdown and a two point conversion tie the game.  On second and five, Jones throws a pass intended for Damion Ratley.  The ball is under thrown and intercepted by Darious Williams.  Jones has now thrown five interceptions - at least one in every game - but has yet to throw a touchdown pass since Week One against Pittsburgh when he threw his only two of the season.

As an aside, why is this play going to Damion Ratley in the first place?  He caught his first pass of the season last week against the Niners.  This was his third and last target of the game.  He caught all of 25 passes over two seasons with the Browns.  This is who Jason Garrett is targeting inside the red zone with the game on the line ....

In any event, the regressing Daniel Jones turns in his second straight sub 200 yard performance on a day the defense and running game turn in their best performances to date.  

Sunday's game sort of reaffirms the defensive performance during weeks one and two, leaving their poor play against the Niners alone as the aberration. 

N.Y. Giants: No Lipstick Can Doll-Up These Hog Mollies

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Like Running Into a Brick Wall!

WEEK THREE

Niners   36

Giants     9

FINAL

That was hard to watch.  San Francisco was essentially forced into playing the B-Squad as a result of so many injuries.  But even with confidence on their side the Giants still turn in their worst performance through three games.  They manage just 49 offensive plays for 231 total yards.  They possess the ball for only 20:16 minutes and turn it over three times.

When the quarterback is the team's leading rusher you know something is very wrong.  Daniel Jones has so far scrambled 12 times for 92 yards.  Combined rushes by the backfield to date have only netted 80 yards.  Against the Niners the Giants rush just ten times for 17 net yards.  In Week Two they net 16 yards on 16 carries and in Week One they rush 13 times for 47 total yards.

Directional Breakdown: rushes/yards

• I - left 4/6; center 0/0; right 9/41; TOT 13/47
• II - left 5/1; center 4/0; right 7/15; TOT 16/16
• III - left 2/3; center 3/8; right 5/6; TOT 10/17

No need to rub your eyes.  You're reading that correctly.  The Giants have so far rushed CENTER/LEFT 18 times for 18 net yards, whereas they've rushed CENTER/RIGHT 21 times for 62 net yards.  Will Hernandez is dealing with a weekly maelstrom having to be sandwiched between rookie Andrew Thomas and novice center Nick Gates.  Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming aren't exactly cutting down rain forests out there, but the difference in experience and execution between the left and right sides of the line is clearly discernible.  However, as a whole there's no shade of lipstick in the world than can disguise the Hog Mollies lack of performance.  I also refuse to put this all on the unavailability of Saquon Barkley.  You can't run to daylight if the guys up front keep the curtains shut.

I'd be remiss if I didn't include the tight and and offensive coordinator in this indictment.  Evan Engram isn't even a legit tight end to begin with.  He's an oversized slot receiver at best and that's being kind.  Where is the blocking tight end?  Where is the fullback lead blocker?  Where are the coordinated blocking schemes and pulling guards?  Where the hell is the offensive coordinator's sense of creativity?

Jason Garrett and offensive line coach Hal Hunter are engineering an absolute bore.  This offensive line can't even execute a simple screen.  They're making pee-wee football look complex by comparison.  Meanwhile, averaging just 12.6 points through three games is just amateurish.

Daniel Jones has so far turned the ball over six times through three games (four INT; four fumbles, two lost), and now has multiple turnovers in ten of 16 career starts.

N.Y. Giants: Jason Garrett Needs to Throttle Up Offense Against Injured Niners

 From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Run to Daylight!

WEEK THREE

San Francisco 49ers

vs.

New York Giants

San Francisco is prime for the taking.  

On defense DE-Nick Bosa, LB-Dre Greenlaw and CB-Richard Sherman are all out for the Niners.  That's a conducive situation for Darius Slayton and Daniel Jones.  

On offense QB-Jimmy Garappolo, C-Weston Richburg, RB-Raheem Mosert, RB-Tevin Coleman and TE-George Kittle are all out which is conducive situation for the Giants beleaguered defense. 

The Giants signed former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman to replace Saquon Barkley.  I'm satisfied insofar as Freeman being a veteran.  In fact, I'm less concerned with his ability to rush than I am with the offensive line's ability to create daylight.  With Nick Bosa out of action, rookie Andrew Thomas should have one less thing to worry about.  He's had a rough two games.  Let's see if he can finally start pushing forward.  Same goes for Nick Gates.  The Giants running game has gained minimal yards running center and left.  They've had little choice but to lean right behind Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming.  I'm hoping after two weeks together, a little more cohesion and effectiveness from this line will start to shine through.  Daniel Jones has shown an ability to sustain long drives despite little contributions from the run game and inconsequential play from Evan Engram.  Therefore, when the front five improves, the Giants will improve.

If there was a game in which Jason Garrett should be ultra aggressive, this is it.  

What do the Giants have to lose? 

N.Y. Giants: Hog Mollies Keeping Offense in the Dark

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Back to the Lab

WEEK TWO

Giants     13

Bears      17

FINAL

With the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select _

It seems as if we're headed that way, doesn't it ..

Confirmed: Saquon Barkley (right knee) will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.  Although signed to a four year contract, NFL rules prevent him from renegotiating an extension until next season.  Saquon's injury suddenly compromises his bargaining leverage and generally complicates the matter all around.

The Giants are a rebuilding team.  That's understood.  But I was very anxious to see Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram and the transformed offensive line together in action.  Their first assignment was against a formidable Steelers defense.

WEEK ONE vs. Pittsburgh

• Jones goes 26/41 (63%) for 279 yards with two touchdowns and two INT's.  

The offensive line yields three sacks (-17 yards).  Subtract Daniel Jones' four scrambles for 22 yards, and the backfield rushes 16 times for just seven yards.  Saquon accounts for all but one rush for a mere six yards.  All told the Giants generate 291 gross yards but only 29 yards on the ground.

Rushing Breakdown: Saquon Barkley

• LEFT: five rushes; +1 yard
• MIDDLE: four rushes; 0 yards
• RIGHT: seven rushes; +15 yards

WEEK TWO vs. Chicago

• Daniel Jones goes 25/40 (62%) for 241 yards, one INT, no TD's.

Daniel Jones throws his third INT and coughs up his first fumble.  Last season he throws twelve INT's and loses twelve fumbles in 13 games.  Chicago tallies four sacks (-21 yards).  The offensive line has now yielded seven sacks through two games.

Saquon rushes four times for a vastly improved 28 yards until injuring his knee.  Through six quarters he ends his season having rushed 19 times for 34 yards.

Rushing Breakdown: Barkley/Dion Lewis

• LEFT: four rushes; +6 yards
• MIDDLE: no attempts
• RIGHT: nine rushes; +41 yards 

Seven year veteran Dion Lewis steps in for Barkley with ten rushes for 20 yards (Sterling Shepard one rush for six yards).  But with Saquon out for the season, the mission remains the same: create space.

Coach Garrett is clearly protecting novice center Nick Gates.  The Giants have only attempted four rushes up the middles through which they have yet to gain positive yardage.  Next on the watch list is rookie LT Andrew Thomas.  Garrett has called nine rushes to his side which has thus yielded just seven positive yards.  Left guard Will Hernandez is handling quite the load with such inexperience playing to his left and right.  Otherwise, the Giants are clearly leaning right side behind the experienced and polished Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming.  Jason Garrett has called for 16 rushes to their side for 66 yards.

Through two games the Giants backfield has rushed thirty times for just 55 yards.  Seven sacks have cost the Giants -38 yards.  Without a running game, so far they've failed to achieve twenty points in a game.

For now I'm placing the onus on the Hog Mollies to start creating more daylight and provide better protection.

PIGSKIN 2020: Week Two

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Two

RESULTS

Week One

SCOREBOARD:

Week One Record:  8-5-1
Overall Record:  8-5-1
Schmear of the Week:  1-0
Bagels in the Basket:  +5

1st and Ten

• Ten fans who attended the NFL opener between Kansas City and Texas have been ordered to quarantine.
• MNF: Saints @ Raiders, opening game at Las Vegas.
• Rocky Squirrel and Simon Bar Sinister meet again; Carroll vs. Belichick.

2nd and Short

• Second week straight all teams test negative for COVID. 😷
• Le'Veon Bell's second season with the Jets is off to another miserable start.  

No Gain

• Tom Brady is 0-1 as a Buccaneer; played like crap.  Bruce Arians doesn't sugarcoat his performance to the press.
• Carson Wentz is sacked eight times and hit another fifteen times by the team with no name.
• No change with the D.C. WTF's
• Mike McCarthy's first game as head coach of Dallas.

PUNT!

• Christopher Johnson reiterates his full faith in Adam Gase.

WEEK TWO

Friday Line NYDN

Niners -7 JETS

Joe Douglas' revamped offensive line last week looked broken.  Sam Darnold did some smart things and not so smart things.  But who will he be throwing to?  Jamison Crowder is out; Le'Veon Bell is out.  Jets will be making a go of it with Sam Darnold, Chris Hogan and Frank Gore.  Any help TE Chris Herndon provides will be greatly appreciated.  Oh, and if anything happens to Darnold, Joe Flacco is out as well.  Niners lost a tough division game against the Cardinals and will be looking to even out.  CB Richard Sherman was placed on IR.

WIN 31-13 Niners

Giants +4 1/2 BEARS

Mitch Trubisky last week against the Lions pulled one out of his posterior.  I heard the word clutch being tossed around, but I'm not buying that.  The Giants meanwhile made a decent go of it against the Steelers.  Pittsburgh bottled up the Giants run game.  Expect a better game from Saquon Barkley and the offensive line.  The biggest matchup of the game pits Khalil Mack against rookie left tackle Andrew Thomas.  Looking for OC Jason Garrett to keep expanding the Daniel Jones/Darius Slayton connection.

WIN 17-13 Bears

Rams -1 1/2 EAGLES

Philly is still trying to figure out what hit them.  Now here comes Aaron Donald.  The No Names totaled eight sacks last week and eighteen other QB hits.  Can't see the Eagles starting 0-2, but with that offensive line they're gonna do just that.  Rams victory over the Cowboys influences this pick.  Forget the jet lag, lay the points.

WIN 37-19 Rams

STEELERS -7 1/2 Broncos

Big Ben seemed to dust off the rust rather quickly against the Giants.  Steelers will be a top contender this season.  Broncos will suffer same fate as Giants; no running game and a loss.

Loss 26-21 Steelers

FALCONS +5 Cowboys

Despite good production from Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys fall to the Rams.  Falcons yield four TD passes last week by Russell Wilson.  Dak Prescott must be chomping at the bit.  But this isn't the Cowboys offensive line we remember and their defense still has to stop Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. 

WIN 40-39 Cowboys

BUCCANEERS -9 Panthers

Tom Brady will not be throwing two INTs again.  Bucs defense should be able to contain Teddy Bridgewater.  If they don't something went really wrong.  The Raiders rushed right through Carolina in week one.

WIN 31-17 Bucs

Bills -5 1/2 DOLPHINS

Ryan Fitzpatrick can sometimes be a real pain in the posterior.  So, let's be clear: Bill Belichick intercepted Fitz three times last week, Fitz didn't throw three interceptions.  There's a difference.  The Fish are back in their element.  But you don't think they're gonna beat the Bills, do you?  Buffalo is my lock of the week.

Loss 31-28 Bills

COLTS -3 Vikings

Philip Rivers had a big game last week, and should have another this week against the Vikings.  It's actually rather ponderous the Colts lost last week against the Jaguars.  The Colts did not punt once.  Packers lit up the Vikes for 43 points.  Rivers may come close.

WIN 28-11 Colts

PACKERS -6 Lions

No confidence in the Lions defense.  Packers won't put up forty points, but should cover against a suspect Lions secondary.

WIN 42-21 Packers

Jaguars +9 TITANS

Stay away!  Jaguars aren't as good as they looked against the Colts and the Titans aren't as bad as they looked against the Broncos.  Defeating the Broncos is no great feat.  I look for the Titans to win, but not cover.  They are notorious slow starters.  Although, once they get going they can dominate.  They can easily win by ten.  But are they awake yet?  I dread this pick.

WIN 33-30 Titans

No Name +7 CARDINALS

I admit the WTF's grabbed my attention last week; eight sacks and fifteen QB hits against the Eagles.  They were down seventeen points in the first half and still won.  I'm just looking for No Name to cover, not win.

Loss 30-15 Cardinals

Ravens -7 TEXANS

Until the Ravens prove otherwise ... Texans defense is very questionable.

WIN 33-16 Ravens

Chiefs -8 1/2 CHARGERS

The Bolts are without their starting center Mike Pouncey; out for the season.  That will be troublesome for Tyrod Taylor.  DE Joey Bosa is very questionable.  That will be troublesome for the Chargers defense.

Loss 23-20 Chiefs

SEAHAWKS -3 1/2 Patriots

Cam Newton rushed for two TD's last week against the Fish.  He'll need to both rush and throw TD's in order to beat Russell Wilson at this particular moment in time.

WIN 35-30 Seahawks

SCHMEAR OF THE WEEK (1-0)

Bills -5 1/2

LOSS

Good luck and have a great FOOTBALL SUNDAY everyone. 

Week Two Record:  10-4

Overall Record:  18-9-1

Schmear of the Week:  1-1

Bagels in the Basket:  +8