The New York Giants offered little to be grateful for on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, falling to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-20, in entrance of a nationwide viewers.
With the loss, the Giants grew to become the primary NFL crew formally eradicated from playoff competition whereas extending their league-leading seven-game dropping streak.
Seats are actually warming in East Rutherford and stress is thick. How issues go within the coming days and weeks stays to be seen nevertheless it’s not getting any much less ugly.
Right here’s a have a look at a few of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from Thursday’s Week 13 loss.
STUD: Ok Graham Gano
It was the type of recreation the place the kicker will get some reward since few others are worthy of it. Graham Gano booted all of his kickoffs out of the endzone to keep away from the Cowboys’ harmful return recreation, whereas connecting on his lone point-after try and each of his subject objective makes an attempt (46, 47).
DUD: LB Kayvon Thibodeaux
In his second recreation again from wrist surgical procedure, linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was extra of a detriment than a assist. He dedicated three penalties — two offsides and one roughing the passer — and certain ought to have been known as for a 3rd offsides penalty. He completed the sport with one deal with, one go defensed, and two QB hits.
STUD: CB Cor’Dale Flott
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott performed comparatively properly on Thursday regardless of surrendering an enormous third-quarter reception. He was focused seven instances and gave up simply three receptions whereas recording 5 tackles (4 solo) and two passes defensed.
DUD: RB Eric Grey
Working again Eric Grey touched the ball only a single time in opposition to the Cowboys — a second-quarter kickoff return. Any guesses about what occurred? That’s proper, one other fumble. Fortunately, this one was recovered by linebacker Matthew Adams. That’s three fumbles this season.
STUD: S Tyler Nubin
Rookie security Tyler Nubin once more took one hundred pc of the defensive snaps and his standout play was aiding a fourth-and-1 cease to drive a turnover on downs. He completed with a game-leading 12 tackles (5 solo, one for a loss) and is now tied for the crew lead with 93 tackles this yr.
DUD: Head coach Brian Daboll
The place to even start? The choice to place Grey again as a return man was baffling. Why does Brian Daboll proceed doing issues that don’t work? And the way about crew self-discipline? The Giants have been penalized 13 instances for 98 yards. They missed 10-plus tackles for the second recreation in a row. They dropped three passes. They turned the ball over twice. These are all effort/execution points traced straight again to the person in cost. Sure, the Giants performed tougher for Daboll this week, however they nonetheless wrestle with the fundamentals.
STUDLY DUD: WR Malik Nabers
Rookie extensive receiver Malik Nabers, a lot to his delight, was concerned early and sometimes on Thursday. He hauled in a team-leading eight receptions for 69 yards, together with a pair of spectacular performs the place he displayed good subject consciousness to get his toes down in bounds. However he additionally had two extra drops, bringing his season complete to seven (second within the NFL). Maybe worse? He admitted after the sport he doesn’t care what number of passes he drops.
Extra STUDS
TE Theo Johnson
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
CB Andru Phillips
P Jamie Gillan
LB Matthew Adams
Extra DUDS
OL Chris Hubbard
OL Evan Neal
OL John Michael Schmitz
WR Darius Slayton
RB Devin Singletary