Of all the phrases that were likely to describe the 2020 New York Giants, “first place” was certainly not chief among them. And yet, after Big Blue’s 19-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, they sit atop the NFC East standings. The Philadelphia Eagles can reclaim first place by beating the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. But for now, the Giants can rightfully call themselves division leaders.
The pressing concern from this game is the hamstring injury suffered by quarterback Daniel Jones in the third quarter. On a read-option keeper from the Bengals’ 28-yard line, Jones appeared to clutch at his leg after gaining seven yards. Two plays later, when Jones could hardly move on a 2-yard completion to Wayne Gallman, he left the game for evaluation. Jones tried to return on the Giants’ following possession, but was forced to leave the game for good after just two plays. Head coach Joe Judge said after the game he’s optimistic Jones will be ready for next week in Seattle, but the full extent of the injury won’t be known until an MRI is done.
The final score may suggest that New York edged out a victory in an evenly played game, but in truth the Giants dominated on both sides of the ball. New York outgained Cincinnati 386 to 155 in total yardage, and controlled the ball for nearly 37 and a half minutes. The Bengals, playing their first game without injured rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, only had one true scoring drive. Aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty on Leonard Williams and a questionable pass interference call on Darnay Holmes, Cincinnati moved the ball 72 yards for a touchdown to bring them within two points with 2:33 left in the game. Other than that fourth-quarter drive, Cincinnati’s points came from kick-return touchdown by Brandon Wilson and a field goal following an Evan Engram fumble, which set the Bengals up at midfield.
Latest Giants News
New York opened the scoring with a nine-play, 76-yard drive highlighted by a beautiful 53-yard pass to Engram down the right sideline. Gallman capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown plunge on fourth-and-goal. Cincinnati responded with Wilson’s touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, and the teams then punted the ball back and forth until they traded field goals at the end of the half.
The Giants kicked three field goals in the second half, two of which were set up by Bengals turnovers. A diving interception by practice-squad call-up Niko Lalos gave Big Blue the ball at Cincinnati’s 40-yard line, and a forced fumble by Logan Ryan set New York up in the red zone. The Giants had a seemingly comfortable 19-10 lead with under four minutes to go, but the Bengals quick touchdown drive made the score 19-17.
New York made two critical plays in the final minutes to secure the win. The first was a shoestring tackle by Cam Brown in punt coverage, when it appeared Alex Erickson was about to return Cincinnati’s game-winning touchdown. The second came on the very next play, as Jabaal Sheard strip-sacked quarterback Brandon Allen and Williams recovered the fumble.
BIg Blue pulled out a huge victory before entering a four-game stretch against opponents with winning records. Obviously, the health of Jones will be massively important, but if the Giants can get a couple more wins in December, they can put themselves in poll position for the NFC East crown.
Here are your Week 12 “Podium/Sodium Players”, i.e., three players Giants fans would like to reward for their performance, and three they might be feeling a tad salty about.
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Podium Players
Gold Medal: S Jabrill Peppers
Peppers continues to flash all over the field. He tied for the team lead in tackles with six, including three solo and one for a loss. He made an impressive play in deep coverage by breaking up a pass to A.J. Green. The former Cleveland Brown has really upped his game the last handful of weeks, making plays wherever he lines up in coordinator Patrick Graham’s defense. He and Ryan have become one of the top safety tandems in the league.
Silver Medal: RB Wayne Gallman
The Giants once again rushed for over a hundred yards, and Gallman was the main producer. He ran for 94 yards on 24 carries, along with a touchdown. The Clemson product’s tough, straight-ahead style has suited Big Blue’s power-blocking scheme perfectly. WIth the tenacious way he’s been running, it’s a wonder why it took both Saquon Barkley and Devonta Freeman getting injured for him to get a meaningful number of touches.
Bronze Medal: K Graham Gano
Gano’s four field goals were responsible for 12 of New York’s 19 points. He hasn’t missed an attempt since Week 2, and was perfect again today despite still feeling fatigue from his recent case of COVID-19. He’s been the most reliable member of the team all year.
Sodium Players
Salty: TE Evan Engram
It’s hard to get too down on Engram, as he led the team with 129 receiving yards on six catches. But his fumble in the second quarter led to at least a six-point swing, as the Giants went from having the ball in the red zone to giving possession to the Bengals at midfield. The tight end has picked up his productivity of late, but he continues to be a catalyst of negative plays for Big Blue.
I’m now pretty sure Evan Engram has been involved directly in 7 Giants turnovers this year. SEVEN
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) November 29, 2020
His explosive playmaking ability is evident, but Giants fans have grown impatient with his miscues.
Saltier: QB Colt McCoy
Jones’ injury forced McCoy into the game in the third quarter. His performance didn’t exactly inspire confidence. The eleven-year veteran completed six of ten passes for just 31 yards. New York’s playcalling skewed conservative once McCoy came in, but he also made some bad mistakes. He overthrew a swing pass to Dion Lewis on a third-and-7 in the fourth quarter, on a play that had a chance to go for a touchdown. He inexplicably ran out of bounds on a quarterback sweep late in the game when the Giants were trying to kill clock. Fans will be desperate for Jones to get well soon after watching McCoy in the second half.
Saltiest: WR Darius Slayton
The up-and-down Slayton was particularly down on Sunday, having his worst game of the season. He was held without a catch for the first time all year. He couldn’t quite track a deep ball in the second quarter, and was only targeted once more all game. For a player fans were hoping could blossom into a primary receiver, he too frequently pulls disappearing acts in games. If anything, Slayton’s inconsistency has underscored the need for the Giants to find a true number-one wideout in the offseason.
– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Mattby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Buckeyes show toughness but will they be ready for Michigan at year's end ?by LandryFootball.com on September 25, 2023 at 11:30 pm
Ohio State was able to beat Notre Dame Saturday in South Bend in large […]
-
Quick Film Room Review of NFL Week 3--Dolphins soar, Jets grounded & Chargers still undercoachedby LandryFootball.com on September 25, 2023 at 1:40 pm
We give you a Film Room Review on all the NFL games from Sunday, breaking […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Mattersby Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karlby Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - 9-25 - Israel Drinks & Drives while Colby hates Stricklandby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
Portland Trail Blazers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 9-22 - Colby’s back for the Title…But why?by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:30 pm
-
Ep. 279: Wilmington Head Basketball Coach Dan Burkeby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Steelers at Raiders - Eagles at Bucs - Rams at Bengalsby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Phoenix Suns Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "The Rock Says..."by Boot 2 The Face on September 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm
On this episode of B2TF we talk AEW, WWE, NXT, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Raw, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]