|
Giants (0-3) Saints
(2-1)
Last
Sunday, the New Orleans Saints scored a touchdown in each quarter of the game.
They left New England with a 28-13 win over the Patriots.
The Giants gave Atlanta
their first win of the season, while continuing on their own losing path. For
the second week in a row, the Giants lost to a field goal on the last play of
the game. This time, 17-14 to the Falcons. New
Orleans Saints
Sean Payton is in his 15th
year as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. This is the first time Drew
Brees hasn't been there to start off one of his seasons. The retired quarterback
led the Saints to division titles in the last four years of his career. Jameis
Winston is the starter now. Winston didn't play much all last season. He threw
only 11 passes in the regular season, but in the Saints divisional round playoff
loss Winston did get in one throw. It was a 56-yard touchdown pass against his
old team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Saints
Offense
Things
could be very different now with Jameis Winston in the quarterback spot. Last
year the Saints had only 44 pass plays of 20 or more yards. Winston has a powerful
passing arm, and in 2019 he completed over 60% of his passes for 5109 yards and
33 touchdowns. The down side was the 30 interceptions with 7 being pick-sixes,
and that's one of the reasons he's here now instead of Tampa Bay. So far in three
games Winston has thrown 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, a much better ratio.
That goes for wins and losses as well. Winston was 7-9 in his last stint as a
starter, and is 2-1 now. An average of 129 passing yards instead of 319 a game
doesn't sound good, but it's working for the Saints.
The Saints offensive
line has taken some hits. Starting center Erik McCoy has been out, and left tackle
Terron Armstead was hurt last week, and will miss this game. Running back Alvin
Kamara led the team with 16 rushing touchdowns last year. He was also the leading
receiver, and caught 5 touchdowns. That total of 21 touchdowns was the best of
anyone in the NFL. Kamara averaged over 5 yards a carry going into this year,
but so far teams have held him to 3.4 and no touchdowns. Kamara's average per
catch is down also, but he's caught 2 touchdowns.
Saints Defense
Last
year they were ranked 5th in pass defense, and 4th in rushing defense. They were
also tied for fifth in the league at limiting opponents to 21.1 points a game.
That average is down to 14 over these first three games, and they
are tied for the second most turnovers in the NFL with seven. In their one loss
to Carolina, they were missing Pro Bowl shutdown cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
He could have been the difference in that game. Even if you don't follow the Saints,
you may recognize the names of their safeties, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Malcolm Jenkins,
and Marcus Williams. They are all playmakers. Veteran linebacker Demario Davis
is a great run blocker and one of the best in passing defense. Overall, the Saints
have an aggressive defense, and like to mix in blitzing from linebackers and defensive
backs. Giants Offense
Things are not going well for the Giants. They can't seem to continue drives all
the way downfield into the endzone. Last week a snapped ball sailed over Daniel
Jones head and killed a drive. On another, Jones was done in when an untouched
defender sacked him for an 11-yard loss. A big catch by Saquon Barkley was called
back because a lineman was too far downfield. This week the offensive line will
be fielding its fourth different starting combination because of injuries at left
guard.
It's not just the line. Starting
wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, will miss this game dealing
with hamstring injuries. The Giants need to do more with Kadarius Toney, at least
to keep blanket coverage off Kenny Golladay, and they have activated John Ross
off of injured reserve. It wouldn't hurt if tight end Evan Engram hung on to the
ball, and for Barkley to have a break out game.
Giants Defense
They have slipped since last year. In these first three games, opponents have
completed 75.4 percent of their passes for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns, with just
one interception. Now, Blake Martinez, the defense's top linebacker, is out for
the season. Martinez was injured on the fifth play of the team's 17-14 loss to
the Atlanta Falcons. Rookie Tae Crowder, known as 'Mr. Irrelevant' in reference
to his draft position, took over for Martinez, and did a decent job. Crowder had
a team high 11 tackles, and will guide the defense again this game. Veteran Reggie
Ragland might be called on to assist in that area.
Up front the Giants need
to get a real pass rush going. Jameis Winston has thrown 2 interceptions, and
both came in the one game the Saints lost. What did Carolina do to get him off
his mark, take 4 sacks, and complete only half his passes? The Giants secondary
has to be ready to capitalize on any mistakes that can be forced. They have been
inconsistent, and need to step it up for the Giants to win this one. Overall
The Saints were originally scheduled to open at home against the Green Bay Packers.
That game was instead played in Jacksonville, Florida, because of Hurricane Ida.
Then the Saints were on the road for two games before returning this Sunday to
the Caesars Superdome for their true 2021 home opener.
It's going to be a tough
crowd for the Giants who were already underdogs before recent injuries were factored
in. In the old days, you could count on the Giants surprising everyone with a
big upset. These aren't the old days, but the Giants sure need to come up with
an upset here. NFC East
Games
Sunday at 1:00pm Giants (0-3) at
Saints (2-1).
Sunday at 1:00pm Washington (1-2) at Falcons (1-2).
Sunday
at 1:00pm Panthers (3-0) at Cowboys (2-1).
Sunday at 1:00pm Chiefs (1-2) at
Eagles (1-2).
Washington and the Cowboys are the NFC East teams favored to
win in these games.
Check out.
Giants
On The Air. Listen to the Radio Broadcasts.
TeamGiants on Twitter.
Notes.
Daniel Jones is the leading rusher on the Giants, averaging 7 yards a carry for
a total 161 yards and 2 TDs. Giants are
3-9 on the season in the red zone.
Next Games
OCT 10 Giants at Cowboys
OCT
17 Rams at Giants |
