New York Giants: Defense must be opportunistic

For most of 2015, the New York Giants have been abysmal on defense. The unit will have to have to be opportunistic against the undefeated Carolina Panthers.

When Steve Spagnuolo was brought back to once again be the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, there were lofty expectations.

Spags hasn’t exactly met those expectations, but it’s worth remembering what he’s working with. He didn’t have his star pass-rushing end for the first portion of the year. Jon Beason, who was supposed to play the Antonio Pierce role, was placed on IR.

More from New York Giants

The frustration from fans and critics makes sense, though. After all, this was the same mastermind who orchestrated one of the most impressive defensive game plans in the history of the NFL, shutting down the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

Also on Spin Zone: The 30 greatest Giants of all-time

Spagnuolo’s troops face another undefeated team Sunday, as the 13-0 Carolina Panthers visit MetLife Stadium.

For the Giants to have any chance against the Panthers, the defense needs to be opportunistic and take advantage of any chance to make a big play.

New York’s defensive mediocrity has been well documented this year. The crux of the horrendous play came in New Orleans, as Drew Brees lit up the Giants for 505 yards, seven touchdowns and only 11 incompletions on 50 attempts. If things have gotten better since then, it’s been marginal at best. As of right now, the Giants are still dead last in total defense.

The Giants defense has shown flashes, but more often than not, they struggle to close out games. That was evident against the Jets, as the unit simply couldn’t help but make Ryan Fitzpatrick look like Tom Brady. This New York defense is nothing like 2007’s or even 2011’s, which finished the season as the 31st ranked unit. Those units could get after the quarterback. This unit simply cannot.

The Giants have had too many missed opportunities on defense, and they were opportunities that could’ve either significantly swayed the momentum of a game, or opportunities that could’ve flat-out ended the game.

Against New England, Landon Collins dropped an easy, simple interception that would’ve ended the Patriots undefeated season. Against the Jets, Prince Amukamara let an easy interception sail right through his hands. Later in the game, Craig Dahl missed a chance to come down with a pick in the end zone. Last week in Miami, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie dropped a ball he usually comes down with.

“Almost plays” have plagued this unit. As in, they almost made the sack. Or they almost intercepted the ball.

The point from highlighting New York’s miscues on defense is to emphasizes they cannot afford to let those chances pass them by Sunday.

DRC’s drop against Miami was bad, but the Dolphins aren’t a great team. As you know, the Panthers are. The missed interception against the Patriots goes to show how missing chances against a great team can come back to bite you.

Luckily for the Giants, Cam Newton, while the front-runner for the MVP race, can still be lured into making poor throws. He’s a spectacular talent, mind you, and I’m not taking anything away from him. However, the Giants do have a shot to lock down his targets come Sunday.

Next: Odell Beckham Jr. faces his toughest challenge

The Panthers are undefeated for many reasons, one of which being they don’t make many mistakes. The Giants need to pounce on any and every chance they get to capitalize on a Panthers mistake.

With top-back Jonathan Stewart out, Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne will carry the ball for the Panthers. Without Stewart, Carolina will have to rely even more heavily on tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen, one of the best tight ends in the game, should receive extra attention from the Giants D. By likely assigning two defenders to deal with Olsen, DRC and Prince Amukamara will be left to deal with Carolina’s receivers.

DRC should see most of his action against Ted Ginn Jr., as he has the speed to keep up with him. Spagnuolo will likely bring pressure, which could potentially force Newton into some bad throws.

For New York, they can’t afford to have any “almost plays.”

This is a defense that can only really succeed when it’s forcing turnovers. If the Giants can win the turnover battle and get some big plays on defense, they’ll have a real shot to win this game.

Home/New York Giants