The Thrilla in Arizona. Biggest comeback since 1949. AZ is not a good team, but there was a lot of heart in that 2nd half turnaround. When it was 60-0 at halftime, it felt like a lot of gaslighting. Where were all things we saw in the preseason? The roster improvements? One of the things we noted in being bullish in the Gmen was coaching, and one of those coaching edges was halftime adjustments. Daboll took over the playcalling and 31 points of magic happened. I know he denied it in the postgame presser, but no one believes him.
I remember Week 3 of the 2007 season when the Giants got their butts kicked in Week 1 and Week 2 to the Cowboys and Packers. Week 3 they played the lowly Redskins. They struggled, but came from behind, made a goal line stand, and won the game. It marked a turnaround for an improbable Super Bowl run. NO, I AM NOT PREDICTING A SB RUN. I am merely pointing out that the Giants have a tough patch of 4 difficult games ahead, and staring into a potential 0-6 abyss would be extremely difficult. Instead, they found a way to win, and dominated the second half 31-8. That kind of 2nd half performance is the kind of thing that will be needed the next 4 weeks. At the very least, it gives the team some much needed confidence after 6 quarters of assault.
Did the Giants find the kind of rhythm they were missing?
The answer may have been Jalin Hyatt. Daboll took over playcalling and boom – 58 yard pass play to the rookie. Add on another 31 yarder, and he led the team with 89 yards on TWO targets. “I told DJ right before we broke out after the huddle, ‘Throw it. Just throw it.’ And he trusted me, he threw it. I think that changed the whole outcome of the game, that one play.” Jalin Hyatt was one of the reasons we believed in the 2023 season. He stretches the field. It stops the opposing Defense from sitting on the short possession game. Of course you cannot throw it deep when the pass protection is not giving Jones the requisite time to deliver. This game saw inconsistent OL play, but Ezeudu played reasonably well in backup for Thomas (who was inactive) and McKethan (last year’s R5 draft pick) filled in well at RG. Neal had some costly penalties but was better than Week 1. If McKethan can stay solid as a replacement, this is how you can turn things around. It still looks like the Giants could be 2-4 after the next 4 games, but if Hyatt and McKethan can find their legs during that process, I would take that. Hyatt (14 snaps) certainly needs a lot more than 2 targets.
Daniel Jones was huge in this comeback. In the 2nd half, we saw the QB who won the Giants’ first playoff game in 11 years. 321 yards and 2 TDs. (The 1 INT was a deflection off the hands of Barkley.) He also did it with his legs, with 9 carries for 59 yards. His 2nd half stats were stellar: 17/21, 317 total yards, 3 total TDs.
Jones needs a little more air under those deep balls. Slayton (Q2) and Hyatt have their men beat for TDs with a ball thrown more in stride. Separately, I have deemed it impossible to overthrow Hyatt. I cannot say enough good things about this 3rd rounder.
The Defense was abysmal. They could not stop the run or the pass. The pass rush was crickets. And the tackling was awful.
Kayvon Thibodeaux saw a mix of single and double assignments. As the Giants were mounting a comeback, #5 was caught by superfan LPG on the far sideline all by himself. Sulking? Brooding? Thib was responsible for lack of pocket contain on his wide pass rush that led to the Dobbs TD run. The entire Giants Defense has zero sacks, limited pressures, and no turnovers through two games. Given that Tre Hawkins and Deonte Banks are getting plenty of on-the-job training, this is some of the price the Giants are paying in not sending additional pressure.
You need luck. The Cardinals first FG attempt missed wide left by a yard or two, else the hole the Giants dug for themselves would have been that much larger.
Barkley has a high ankle sprain. He got rolled up on his ankle on a clock-killing run before the go-ahead FG. As grateful as we are that it is just a sprain, I think this could be 4+ games. Anything less than that and the Giants got off easy. A few moments ago, Raanan and Schefter report it may only be a sprain.. MRI Monday to determine what they have.
What’s next? The Giants face SF, SEA, MIA, and BUF, who are collectively 5-2. If the Giants cannot find a pass rush, all 4 teams will be difficult to beat. Get Jalin Hyatt more snaps and more targets. He is a budding star. His big plays were jolts to the Offense and their ability to grab two TDs. If the Giants are to salvage this season, it began today. I suspect the Giants will be undressed on Thursday night, but let’s see them be competitive and improve each week.