The New York Giants misplaced their tenth consecutive recreation on Sunday in Atlanta, setting a brand new all-time mark for the once-proud franchise.
After beginning sturdy, the Giants fell other than the second quarter onward, in the end falling to the Falcons by a rating of 34-7. It was the primary win of Michael Penix’s younger profession, coming eight months after New York handed on him within the 2024 NFL draft.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Las Vegas Raiders picked up a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars within the afternoon slot, leaving the Giants atop the 2025 NFL draft board. Child steps.
Whose inventory is up and whose is down after the Week 16 loss? Let’s have a look.
It was a giant day for rookie linebacker Darius Muasau, who led each groups with 11 tackles (4 solo, one for a loss). He additionally picked up a QB hit on a would-be sack earlier than Penix by some means managed to get the ball away. Most notably, Muasau took over the inexperienced dot when Micah McFadden left the sport and didn’t seem to overlook a beat.
It has turn out to be virtually not possible to consider that head coach Brian Daboll will maintain his job. Main the Giants to a franchise file 10 straight losses is an unsightly stain on anybody’s resume made worse by the fact that two extra losses are seemingly, together with a ninth loss at dwelling — one thing that might be an all-time NFL file in futility. It “wasn’t good enough,” as Daboll repeated almost a dozen instances post-game.
Will probably be fascinating what the ultimate grades and analytics say, however rookie cornerback Andru Phillips performed a powerful recreation to the bare eye. He made a number of spectacular (and key) open-field tackles a few gifted opponent (Bijan Robinson), ending the sport with six tackles (4 solo, one for a loss).
You would simply as simply put proper guard Greg Van Roten on this spot as each he and proper deal with Evan Neal stunk on Sunday. They appeared confused and new to one another, resulting in a number of points with miscommunication and in some cases, straight-up whiffs in cross safety. Considered one of their collective failures went viral and it basically defines the Giants’ complete season.
Broad receiver Wan’Dale Robinson has taken warmth this season for a low common per reception and missing dimension, resulting in few damaged tackles. On Sunday, he displayed a ferocity hardly ever seen by any Giants participant this season. Undersized or not, he gave each play one hundred pc and fought off a number of defenders en path to a 7-catch, 62-yard efficiency.
How can Joe Schoen be listed right here when the “stock up” part is littered together with his draft picks? We all know… We are able to see that query coming from a mile away. However it’s additionally price noting that the “stock down” part can also be stuffed together with his selections — coaches, draft picks, and free agent signings. Two of his three draft courses have been poor and most of his free agent signings have underperformed. Schoen has failed to repair the harm points — a Day 1 promise — and the shortage of depth after three seasons on the helm is unforgivable. Daboll would be the face of this staff’s failures however Schoen deserves the identical degree of blame. He has failed.