The New York Giants dipped to 2-6 on the season with a 31-26 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 8. Handing out report card grades for Big Blue.
The New York Giants dropped another one, this time a 31-26 decision to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Week 8 on Sunday afternoon. The loss, in what has already become a forgettable season, dropped Big Blue to 2-6 while the Lions improved to 3-3-1.
It’s disappointing to see another loss for Pat Shurmur’s team as they seem headed for another top-10 draft pick. However, it wasn’t all bad for Big Blue in the road loss to Detroit.
Let’s take a look at the report card grades for the G-Men.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Offense
Rookie signal-caller Daniel Jones threw for 311 yards and set season-highs in completions (28), attempts (41) and touchdown passes (4). His two touchdown strikes to fellow rookie Darius Slayton, from 22 and 28 yards, respectively, bodes well for the future if these two can continue to build chemistry together.
As impressive as Jones’ stats were, he once again was guilty of another fumble, which former Big Blue linebacker Devon Kennard scooped up and returned 13 yards for a Lions touchdown, giving the winners an early 7-0 advantage.
I’ve been saying it for weeks now: Jones has to take better care of the football. Ball security is key. It’s something that must be emphasized in practice time and time again.
The Giants offensive line allowed three sacks, a better effort after last week’s disaster against Arizona (eight sacks allowed). Saquon Barkley enjoyed another solid performance (133 total yards, one touchdown) while wide receiver Golden Tate was efficient from the slot (8-85).
Grade: B
Defense
The G-Men have one of the worst secondaries in the NFL and it showed as Matthew Stafford lit them up with 342 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception (Janoris Jenkins). The Giants had no answer for Kenny Golladay, who gashed them for six receptions for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns on eight targets. Veteran Danny Amendola was a thorn in their side with eight catches for 95 yards, mostly on slants over the middle.
On the positive side, Big Blue registered four sacks. They’re starting to dial up more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as the season progresses but they’re still in need of a dynamic pass rusher, like the good old days when the Giants rolled out names like Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and, of course, Michael Strahan, their all-time sacks leader. You have to get to the quarterback to win these days — just look at what Nick Bosa is doing for the 49ers.
Rookie corner Deandre Baker paced the club with eight tackles but New York’s secondary needs an overhaul. The Lions converted 8-of-14 third-down opportunities and compiled 375 total yards, not good by any means.
Grade: D+
Special Teams
Nothing too much to discuss here although Aldrick Rosas missed his first PAT of the season, hooking the ball wide left. Slayton chipped in with a 30-yard kickoff return while punter Riley Dixon was stout with a 45.0 average on three boots, including one inside the 20. He’s one of the more underrated punters in the league.
Grade: C