A win! A much needed win. With their backs against the wall, with pressure on Daboll heating up, the Giants notched a win to maybe save the season. Of course much work is ahead, but at 1-2, there is a ton to build on.
I followed the game on Red Zone, through the 10 minute condensed spool, plus great commentary from BBB. I watched the Saints choke a game where they were outplayed by the Eagles but nonetheless could have still won. With Dallas losing, if the Eagles lost, the day would have been perfect.
Here are some takeaways, in no particular order, except for #1.
- Malik Nabers is a MONSTER. We knew he was going to be a terrific pro before the Draft. We knew he was going to be terrific when he was selected by the Gmen. We really knew he was going to be special in Spring OTAs. We were certain he was going to be a beast in training camp. And now that we are 3 games into the regular season, all of the hype is frankly coming up short for just how crazy this player is, even at this early juncture. There is nothing he cannot do. All of the things he was expected to do he is doing, and any of the questions that he had as a prospect (because of lack of college film) are being settled as well. His first TD vs the Browns was elite. Great route in the red zone. Great separation. Jumping sick high. Circus catch with tremendous body control. Toe tap in bounds. Last week we asked if Nabers was also bussing tables in the luxury boxes. This week, he did everything except park cars and sell hot dogs. They like comparing him to OBJ because he is a star WR from LSU playing for the same Giants team who drafted him. Stop. Please stop. He is better than OBJ. There is a will to Nabers that is unstoppable.
- Dru Phillips was injured. Calf. Let’s see how long he is out.
- The Defensive Line get to Deshaun Watson. All day. Dex. Ojulari. Burns. Thib. And our UFA Chatman got a sack too! This was the difference in the game being won or lost. Burns’ forced fumble is huge.
- Daboll’s favorite Nabers play wasn’t a reception, it was the pass breakup.
- Dan Schneier wants more slot verticals for Nabers. Jones wasn’t able to connect because his vertical accuracy was not good enough, yet they have to keep going this way.
- Also from Schneier and Falato- TE Theo Johnson is getting too many snaps too early in his rookie season. He is not ready. Give them to Bellinger (and Manhertz). We are all high on Johnson’s future, but he is making too many mistakes and needs to work to get more snaps.
- I need to say this as clear as I can be. Yes, Jones was a good part of this victory, but I want a new QB next season. If Nabers had a good QB, he would already have 450 yards and 5 TDs this season. Nabers is open regularly all day long and if Jones could hit him downfield, it would make it IMPOSSIBLE to defend against him. As it is, it is nearly impossible. Cleveland switched to Denzel Ward to slow him down. When he gets elite CB coverage, he will be open only some of the time. So he needs a QB who can get him the ball anywhere on the field so that he can run routes anywhere on the field and burn defenses when they shade the shorter stuff.
- Kudos to Bowen for adapting the gameplan to Watson and the CLE offense. “They switched up the gameplan,” said Watson. “We were expecting pressure, but as much as they brought it,” Cleveland wasn’t ready for it.
- The Giants got some big breaks that went their way. They made the most of their opportunities.
- Dallas is a much better team than Cleveland. We know this for a fact, as Dallas dismantled them in their lone win in Week 1. If the Giants are to win on Thursday, they will need to run the ball, have their OL keep Jones clean in the pocket, and Jones is going to need to start hitting some of those vertical routes.
- THE SCREEN PASSES. THREE. IN ONE GAME. THREE SUCCESSFUL SCREEN PASSES IN ONE GAME. My wife had to charge up the defibrillator for fear I might get a heart attack. Praise the Lord. A competent OL. And some screens to stop the pass rush. Someone pinch me.
- Did I say that Nabers is a superstar? Nabers is a superstar. Just making sure I got that message across.