The New York Giants (1-2) have evidently not matched up to the caliber of other NFC teams such as the San Francisco 49ers (3-0), Dallas Cowboys (2-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (2-0). This disparity extends beyond just a talent gap, though.
Contrary to the 2022-23 Giants, who demonstrated poise in critical moments and avoided self-sabotage, this year’s Giants seem to have taken the opposite approach.
Here are three areas in which New York must improve to stay afloat in the NFC playoff race:
Pass rush
Through three games, the Giants have mustered a mere two sacks. Their persistent inability to exert pressure on opposing quarterbacks is causing recurring breakdowns in their secondary.
New York remains one of only three teams yet to force a turnover this season — Los Angeles Rams (1-1) and Las Vegas Raiders (1-2). The absence of an effective pass rush is a significant contributor to this, as quarterbacks seem to have boundless time to survey the field against the Giants, allowing their offensive weapons ample opportunity to create space and find openings.
The Giants’ defensive line features Dexter Lawrence, who agreed to a four-year, $90 million extension this offseason; Leonard Williams, with a $32.3 cap hit this season — representing the highest non-quarterback charge in the NFL; and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the number five overall pick in 2022. A significant allocation of draft capital and financial resources yet they have seemingly yielded little tangible results so far this season.
“We need more from everybody: coaching, playing, everybody,” head coach Brian Daboll said Friday after New York’s 30-12 loss to the 49ers. “The game is a line of scrimmage game.”
The Giants are being systematically dominated at the line of scrimmage, with the onus falling heavily on the ‘big three’ — Lawrence, Williams and Thibodeaux. Without improvement on the defensive front, the strongest part of the unit, this defense has no real chance to compete.
Tackling
Here’s where the Giants are beating themselves. In the game against San Francisco, New York missed a staggering 16 tackles, permitting 201 yards after the catch. This lapse is particularly alarming given that tackling was one of New York’s strengths last season and under the same scheme and defensive coordinator, Don Martindale, it’s simply unacceptable.
“Their playmakers were just making plays,” defensive lineman Lawrence said afterward.
This doesn’t paint the entire picture. Yes, the 49ers offense was making plays, but it was the Giants who enabled them. Their inability to secure tackles was on full display.
“I mean, obviously we need to put more of an emphasis on tackling,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “We have a lot of missed tackles across the board at different positions. Execution-wise, guys just have to do their job.”
When facing a more talented opponent, failing in fundamentals like tackling is the last thing a team can afford. It’s the quickest way to self-sabotage.
Pass protection