Offense
This was obviously not going to work. If you remove the head (Saquon Barkley), the body will collapse. As the blocking in front of Barkley collapsed, he was unable to sprint (15-22). This attack cannot thrive if compelled to throw. After 153 consecutive passes without an interception, Daniel Jones (27 of 44, 341 yards) threw two interceptions, the first of which was particularly fatal. Jones’ (7-50) legs were significant. Wan’Dale Robinson had nine receptions for 100 yards before suffering a knee injury and leaving the game. LG Shane Lemieux was sacked on his third play of the season by Alim McNeill. There was a sighting of Kenny Golladay, who caught two passes for 29 yards and was applauded. In the end zone, Lawrence Cager dropped a two-point conversion pass. Three starters on the offensive line were lost due to injuries. 5 of 13 on third down is not sufficient.
Grade: D
Defense
Allowing four rushing touchdowns and 160 yards on the ground is a terrible performance. Jared Goff was not sacked (17 of 26 for 165 yards). Oshane Ximimes’s near-head-on hit on Goff resulted in a roughing the passer penalty, preserving the Lions’ opening drive. In the second quarter, Darnay Holmes made a strong tackle to prevent D’Andre Swift from gaining a first down. In coverage, the rookie LB Micah McFadden was exploited. At one point, the cornerback positions were filled by backup Rodarius Williams and youngster Cor’Dale Flott. Flott caused a fumble, which was recovered by the Lions. Williams rushed for three touchdowns. Julian Love’s tackle on Kalif Raymond was unsuccessful. The Lions were successful on 6 of 13 third downs, while the Giants did not force any turnovers.
Grade: C-
Special Teams
The first extra point attempt by Graham Gano was stopped and pushed wide right. Gano, who was ill and required intravenous fluids during the game, missed the right upright with a field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter. Shocking. Jackson was injured while returning a punt. Gary Brightwell muffed a kickoff, which he recovered, and Nick McCloud was penalized for a back block on a kickoff return. Cam Brown was called for a personal foul while defending the extra-point attempt. Jamie Gillan muffed a punt at the 8-yard line, then punted a poor ball that traveled only 25 yards. Justin Jackson began the second half with a 36-yard kickoff return.
Grade: D
Coaching
Brian Daboll ultimately approves the top cornerback being utilized as a punt returner, thus he must assume this responsibility when the player is injured. Daboll choose to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 49-yard line against Detroit in the first quarter, a daring move that paid off. When his secondary is as depleted as this, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale can only do so much. We were all curious as to what might transpire when Mike Kafka had to call so many pass plays. Now we know. The offense is not designed to prosper under such circumstances.
Grade: C