The New York Giants entered Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts properly conscious that one other loss would cement their identify in undesirable NFL historical past. A defeat would drop them to 0-9 at MetLife Stadium on the yr, which might mark the first-ever time a crew misplaced 9 common season video games at residence with no victory.
With that black cloud hanging over them, the Giants got here out and performed laborious and efficient in all three phases over the primary half. Within the second half, the protection started to crack however their offense and particular groups stored them within the lead with explosive performs.
When push got here to shove, they have been the higher crew on Sunday. Followers might not find it irresistible, however the coaches and gamers are thrilled to choose up the win and keep away from going 0-9. And you may wager John Mara is, too.
Right here’s a take a look at among the studs and duds (and studly duds) from Sunday’s Week 17 win.
STUD: WR Malik Nabers
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What an absolute stud efficiency for rookie extensive receiver Malik Nabers on Sunday. One week after setting the franchise rookie report for receptions, Nabers joined working again Tyrone Tracy Jr. as solely the third rookie duo in NFL historical past to go over 1,000 scrimmage yards every. On a person degree, Nabers hauled in seven receptions for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns.
DUD: CB Deonte Banks
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Though Deonte Banks had a pleasant go defensed early within the fourth quarter, there was little else to put in writing residence about. He was referred to as for 2 extra defensive go interference penalties on Sunday, which price the Giants’ protection 63 complete yards and led to 10 factors. There may be an alarming absence of affect performs and any time Indianapolis confronted a must have play, they appeared to focus on Banks.
STUD: QB Drew Lock
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Talking of exceptional particular person performances, quarterback Drew Lock had himself a profession day. He was practically good, finishing 17 of his 23 go makes an attempt for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns, including one other landing on the bottom. He completed the day with a quarterback score of 155.3.
DUD: DB Isaiah Simmons
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With so many accidents within the secondary, Isaiah Simmons was thrust into a bigger position within the secondary. Among the blame for his struggles on Sunday could be attributed to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who didn’t essentially put him into plus-matchup conditions however was nonetheless seen trailing his man too usually.
STUD: S Dane Belton
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The Giants’ safeties left a bit to be desired in opposition to the Colts however to Dane Belton’s credit score, he was the perfect of the bunch. His first-quarter interception was a magnificence — absolutely prolonged, good discipline consciousness, and powerful arms. He additionally made a number of good tackles and performed cleanup on the second and third ranges. That’s not what the Giants would have preferred however a minimum of he offered final stand wall.
DUD: Run blocking
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The Giants performed comparatively properly throughout the board on Sunday with a single exception: Run blocking. Exterior of a 40-yard burst from Tyrone Tracy Jr. and a 13-yard run from Devin Singletary, New York couldn’t get something occurring the bottom. The Colts’ defensive position was within the backfield fully too usually, leading to an abundance of detrimental runs.
STUDLY DUD: TE Daniel Bellinger
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Tight finish Daniel Bellinger didn’t issue into the passing sport however he performed a significant position as a blocker. He helped spring Tyrone Tracy Jr. on his 40-yard run and made one other terrific block on Malik Nabers’ 34-yard landing. On the detrimental facet of issues, he was referred to as for a chop block that put the Giants’ offense in a nasty place. Fortunately, they have been in a position to overcome it however the error will nonetheless present up on movie.
Extra STUDS
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DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
LB Tomon Fox
Extra DUDS
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OL Aaron Stinnie
S Jason Pinnock
CB Adoree’ Jackson
DC Shane Bowen
