Giants Team Grades: NY Defense Carries The Day As Big Blue Defeats Rams 17-10
By Curt Macysyn
All's well that ends well for the New York Giants (4-3), as Big Blue took advantage of opportunities to down the Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Twickenham Stadium in London. Last week, the offense carried the water for the G-Men in the win against the Baltimore Ravens. This week, the defense was stout, and they picked off Case Keenum four times on Sunday. Safety Landon Collins returned one interception 44 yards for a touchdown, and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie shut down the Rams with two late picks to seal the victory.
Not only did the New York defense dominate the airwaves, they also closed off the running lanes for Rams' halfback Todd Gurley. The former Georgia Bulldog managed only 58 yards on 15 carries (3.8 yards per carry), and his longest run was a mere eight yards. Newly signed kicker Robbie Gould handled the kicking duties without a hiccup, so the frantic kicker switch did not end up hurting the team.
OFFENSE: C
Quarterback Eli Manning was effective, even if he was not prolific. Manning had no touchdowns, but he did not turn the ball over either. The Rams' defense did not record a sack, but the running game was apparently left at the airport. New York had a total of 38 yards rushing, and Rashad Jennings averaged a lousy 1.9 yards per carry. But Jennings did get the ball into the end zone with less than 10 minutes left in the contest for the winning points.
The wide receiver trio of Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard each had five catches on the day. Nothing spectacular, but effective ball control stuff. Third down conversions continue to be a concern. This week, the offense could only convert three of 13 third down chances. New York lost the time of possession battle yet again, by 10 minutes. Tight end Larry Donnell lost a fumble, which represented the only Giants turnover. One day the G-Men may see the value in drafting a quality tight end.
DEFENSE: A
The Giants received a fair amount of serendipity this day. Landon Collins grabbed both of his interceptions off of tipped passes.His 44-yard return for a touchdown was highlight reel material, and leveled the score at 10-10. Collins also had eight tackles and two passes defended on his ledger. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie flies underneath the radar in New York, which is no small feat. But DRC is the glue of this defense, and he usually shows up when needed the most. Brian Quick's misread was Rodgers-Cromartie's gift as he shut down the Rams in the end zone with under a minute left.
Keenan Robinson was almost cut in training camp, but he has turned into the Giants best linebacker. Robinson had eight tackles and two passes defended on the afternoon. The defensive line had three sacks in the game, and Damon Harrison got his first of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
As good as Giants' punter Brad Wing is, the Rams' Johnny Hekker is better. Of Hekker's seven punts, he landed six of them inside the 20-yard line. Wing was no slouch with a 49.8 yard average on eight punts, including two inside the twenty. But because of Hekker, the Rams largely won the field position battle.
Special teams allowed a 19-yard punt return by Tavon Austin in the fourth quarter. Odell Beckham had to spell a nicked-up Dwayne Harris (back) on a punt return again this week, but it was to no advantage. Robbie Gould assimilated well into the kicking equation with one successful field goal attempt, and two extra point conversions.
COACHING: B-
The offense is inconsistent, and the spring promise of an explosive unit has turned into a fall mirage right now. Since Ben McAdoo was the team's offensive coordinator before becoming head coach, both he and Mike Sullivan need to figure it out. New York cannot reasonably expect to ride the current formula to victory down the stretch.
Steve Spagnuolo is getting more comfortable with his talent level, and it also helps that Landon Collins' play is finally coming around, too. Kudos to Tom Quinn for getting the kicking enterprise acclimated on the fly, with Gould actually meeting his new team in London. One day the front office may make the coaches' lives easier. Don't hold your breathe.
New York gets to travel back to the states and enjoy their bye week, before a division-defining contest against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 6th at MetLife Stadium.