We recapped the loss in the previous post. Some items which Bruce R provides additional comment…
Dan Duggan and the Giants beat reporters are all focusing (wrongly) on the Giants not activating a second kicker this week given Gano’s groin injury. Meh. He pulled a hammy chasing the opening kick return. Injuries happen. It’s not like they passed up Field Goal opportunities and punted because he wasn’t available.
On the last drive, they probably kick a FG if Gano is healthy. Don’t forget, even if Nabors catches the ball, they get the 1st down with no guarantee that they score a TD.
The issue today was the defense’s inability to stop 3rd and long. Any one key play (McFadden gets Daniels to the ground, Pennock and Phillips don’t commit penalties, they get a stop in one of the 3rd and 10+ situations) and Washington has to punt and Giants probably win.
Washington had a simple plan: if Dex is out, run up the middle. It worked. Other DTs need to step up.
Pennock had a horrible game. Phillips and Nubin look like the real deal. Flott not so much.
Bottom line. Even with all your players healthy, you’re not going to win many games where the other side dominates time of possession and never punts.
Bruce R