The Giants lose 40-37 in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys.
A quick thank you to HuddleUK’s sub-editors, who have requested that the score of the game is made clear in our reviews. It was painful to write out that the New York Giants scored 37 points and still did not win.
This game, full of so much promise and so much disaster, ultimately showed that the Giants are still a team that do not know how to win games.
This week, I am going to summarise The Good, The Bad and The ‘Giant’ Ugly.
If you only want positivity in your day, and cannot handle more doom and gloom after that defeat, then do not read the last two sections. I will understand.
The Good
Marcus Mbow – Left tackle
The biggest bright spot of the entire game for me was not the points put up or the yardage gained. It was the performance of rookie fifth round pick Marcus Mbow. He was put into the game at left tackle after the first possession – more on why later – and had a very solid outing.
Considering he mostly played on the right in college, it is impressive how well he did. While the Cowboys’ pass rush is far from the elite unit it used to be – they could really do with a player like Micah Parsons if you ask me – Mbow only allowed two pressures in 51 snaps, and only one quarterback hit.
To put a back-up lineman into the game and have them not really be noticed is huge. This could really allow the Giants to not feel forced into rushing back Andrew Thomas.
If Mbow continues to play like this, he needs to be on the field for the rest of the season. The popular opinion appears to be to move him to right tackle and make Jermaine Elumanor the right guard. Veteran Greg van Roten can ride the bench behind the youngsters.
Passing attack
Who would have thought that after two road divisional games, the Giants would lead the league in passing yards? That is before the Monday night games, anyway.
The infamous Russell Wilson ‘moonball’ pass was on display last night and it felt unstoppable. An established passing game and a functional rushing attack kept the Dallas defense on its heels. If the O-line can give Russ enough time to read the defense post-snap, it certainly seems like he can still cook.
Wan’dale Robinson in particular stepped up last night. He seems to have advanced his route tree, showing he can contribute more than just the short game and third down conversions. Malik Nabers just did Maik Nabers things and continues to evolve into a superstar.
The surprise aspect was that, for the second game in a row, Jalin Hyatt did not receive a single snap. Considering he is a deep ball threat, yesterday seemed the perfect time to introduce him. You have to wonder why he is on this roster.
Special teams
A shoutout to the most forgotten aspect of the game: special teams. Graham Gano made every field goal kick. It is just a shame he had so many attempts, but it is not his fault if the offense fails in the redzone. New York nullified a very dangerous return game of the Dallas Cowboys and no mistakes were made on specials.
The Bad
Dexter Lawrence – Defensive tackle
Sexy Dexy did not look very sexy last night. Truth be told, he has not really done anything in the first two weeks. Obviously, we know he gets double-teamed most snaps, but this never used to be a problem. He did miss much of camp while recovering from an injury so is clearly not quite back to his best yet. Let us hope it does not take too much longer for him to regain his form.
Abdul Carter – Edge
Carter has not been bad but two weeks in, we are all a bit disappointed with his productivity. He certainly is impacting plays, to a similar level to fellow edge rusher Kayvon Thibideoux. That is to say, he is a decent pass rusher but not elite. This was only his second game though and he still looks good, just underwhelming.
The loss
How can the scoreline not make an appearance in what was bad? At the start of the season, I said I just wanted the Giants to remain competitive in games and beat the handicap. I forgot the heartbreak this could bring. I would much rather lose how we lost this week than last, though.
The defense
While tempted to put them into The Giant Ugly, they did manage to get two stops in overtime. That allowed the offense to try and win the game, and you cannot ask much more than that. But over the first two games, the defense has not lived up to expectation. I would give it till Week 4 is over to have a better understanding of how this group plays.
The Giant Ugly
James Hudson – Left tackle
The team’s starting left tackle somehow managed to commit four penalties in a row. It was an absolute circus to watch and he was benched after the first series as a result.
That two-year, $12 million contract to be the Giants’ swing tackle is looking an absolute disaster. However, I am glad the coaching staff were strong enough to bench him for his performance.
Penalties
Including declined and offsetting penalties, the Giants were flagged 21 times for penalties. That is an absolute disgrace, especially as this is a returning coaching staff and scheme.
The fact we were even able to go to overtime is nothing short of a miracle to me.
Shane Bowen – Defensive Coordinator
I said in a previous article that I think the only people who were happy that Shane Bowen returned for a second year were his family. I wonder if even they are questioning him now.
His obsession with soft zone coverage is essentially playing to not lose rather than playing to win. I cannot stand it. The call to go soft zone with about 15 seconds left in the game has been mocked by everyone around the league, and unfortunately, it is nothing new here.
You have to question why, as Head Coach, Brian Daboll allows it to happen in clutch time. I know you want to trust your staff and let them do their job, but there has to come a point where enough is enough.
I would be happy to see Bowen fired, and even happier if we could get former middle linebacker Antonio Pierce in as Defensive Co-ordinator. Then again, I would just be happy to win a game.
What next?
The only saving grace is that the 0-2 Kansas City Chiefs are next up on the schedule. They have not looked great and this will be a must-win game for both teams.
If the Giants can cut down the flags, which should be easier in a home game, I do not see why they cannot go close with the Chiefs. It really is the hope that kills you!
Keep the faith, Giants fans. It is not yet time to start talking about the 2026 draft.
