Excitement. Joy. Relief. These are all words to describe the New York Giants locker room after their Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. After being down 13-0 at halftime, coach Brian Daboll instilled in his team an identity we haven’t seen since the days of Tom Coughlin. It paid off, with the team tying the game in the third quarter, and the rest is history.
Of course, there was some drama in the end. But, a win is a win. For the Giants, they are over .500 for the first time since 2016. Let’s dive into all three phases of the game and analyze their performance.
Saquon Is Back and I Love It
Entering this game, many wondered if Saquon Barkley could bounce back to his 2018 self. Well, it may have been just one game. But, the former Penn State product made his presence felt against a stingy Titans defense.
Saquon turning on the BURNERS ?
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 11, 2022
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/PEua29MRnF
The speed. The agility. *chef’s kiss*
That wasn’t all he did on that drive.
Saquon Barkley capped off a BIG run with a flip into the end zone ?
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 11, 2022
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/kBhiuFgs2K
The Giants rejoiced at seeing their star running back fully healthy and making plays for this offense. But what about Daniel Jones?
It wasn’t all pretty for the former Duke quarterback. Though he finished 9/11 at halftime, he lost the football after being stripped and sacked by Jeffery Simmons. His pocket awareness wasn’t quite there, and it looked like he would be the scapegoat again.
Like Saquon, he put those haters to rest coming out of halftime.
Daniel Jones to Sterling Shepard for a 66 yard touchdown!!! Giants tie the game!!! pic.twitter.com/ygcuY3qVAd
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 11, 2022
The last time I saw a deep pass for a touchdown by a Giant… You know what, let’s not think about it. Because Daniel Jones to Sterling Shepard is something I could watch over and over again.
Although he threw a devastating interception in the fourth quarter, he bounced back in a big way. Jones needed to drive his team down the field with less than six minutes to go, losing by seven.
He didn’t do anything special on that drive at first, going 2/2 for ten yards before Saquon took over…
Saquon Barkley with another HUGE run! He fumbles at the end but Giants keep the ball! pic.twitter.com/ucbXyqHcj6
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) September 11, 2022
First and 10 became fourth and one yard to go. The two-minute warning came and went. The Giants had to go for it. It was all or nothing…
But First: How About That Giants’ Defense?
21 carries. 82 yards. That was Derrick Henry‘s stat line against a Giants defense without two of their top pass rushers. Do the math, and that’s 3.9 yards per carry. That is a number the team will live with. It’s rather impressive, considering Henry is known for his ability to break off tackles and gain extra yardage. Not today.
Derrick Henry just experienced what it’s usually like being hit by Derrick Henry pic.twitter.com/ImITHAsJEN
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 11, 2022
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw two touchdowns, both to running back Dontrell Hilliard. Both gave Tennessee the lead at some point in the game. Kyle Philips led the team with six catches for 66 yards, making people like myself wonder where in the world he came from.
Before you rave about Phillips’s performance, just remember he fumbled a punt return that gave the Giants possession inside the 20 during the fourth quarter. Although it led to a Daniel Jones interception, it could have been worse.
The Giants’ defense held the Titans’ running game to under 100 yards rushing but allowed 266 passing yards. But that was the game plan, after all. If the Giants were going to lose this game, it would be because of Ryan Tannehill’s arm and not Henry’s legs.
Tomon Fox has the team’s only sack of the game, and Tae Crowder led with seven tackles on the day. Jihad Ward stepped in beautifully for the injured Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari, acquiring six tackles of his own.
Now, Back To That 4th & 1
This was it. Could the New York Giants offense extend the drive and keep the hope of taking the lead alive?
First down Daniel Jones!
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
?: #NYGvsTEN on FOX
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/z4k2UMB2UG pic.twitter.com/rWDDDqciQT
The drive continued. Daniel Jones’s legs saved the day. After a few plays, New York got on the board once again. Yes, you guessed it: a touchdown pass from Jones to tight end Chris Myarick brought the score to 20-19.
As many would do, the field goal unit was sent out to tie this gam… Sorry, what, John? Brian Daboll is going for two???
pic.twitter.com/2pxReSsPdk #Giants Saquon Barkley ran it with attitude.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) September 11, 2022
Like many, I SCREAMED when the conversion was good. The Giants finally had the lead. But, the defense had to do their part and stop Tannehill.
Unfortunately, pointless penalties reared their ugly head, and the Titans found themselves at the Giants’ 29-yard line. Randy Bullock was lining up for a game-winning 47-yarder.
Thoughts of the Giants losing on game-winning field goals came to the mind of many fans. Bullock already made one from 46 yards, and a one-yard difference didn’t seem to matter.
Randy Bullock misses the game-winner.
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) September 11, 2022
The Giants win the opener of 2022 over the Titans, 21-20. pic.twitter.com/v4ilyal0Dt
Bless the football gods. The New York Giants, for the first time since 2016, are over .500. They won their first game of the season, something that hasn’t been said since 2016 too.
Rejoice, Giants fans. We finally did it. It was a dramatic ending, of course. But, our team pulled it off. To the rest of the NFL, this may have just been a regular win. For the Giants, it means so much more.
Congrats to Brian Daboll for his first win as a head coach. Props to Joe Schoen for his first win as a general manager. Big Blue is 1-0. They head back home to East Rutherford to take on the Carolina Panthers. A 2-0 start to the season awaits the New York Giants.
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