New York Giants fans can rejoice! The Giants finally won a home game, they beat a team with a winning record, and it was all because of a defense that came up big! Most fans, like myself, really thought that the Las Vegas Raiders passing attack would get an early Thanksgiving feast from the Giants defense. But, surprisingly, for the third week in a row, the defense held their opponents under 18 points.  

The defense played this game exceptionally well, considering the Giants offense only mustered 245 total yards. Most of the offense came from backup Devontae Booker, who contributed a very Saquon Barkley-like 122 yards from scrimmage. Booker came up with six first downs and certainly kept the Giants in the game against his old team.  

Daniel Jones was decent, and he completed 15 of 20 passes for 110 yards. Not exactly lighting the world on fire, as he was credited with yet another fumble lost. That would make six lost fumbles on the season. However, Jones did make a great play on his toss to fan-favorite Evan Engram (we can’t wait to see the last of him).  

The Raiders defense got to Jonesetty frequently on passing downs, and pressured on 50% of his dropbacks. There’s no relief in sight for this garbage offensive line the Giants keep rolling out there. At least Andrew Thomas will be back after the bye to help it some, but it’s clear this group sucks as a unit right now.

Is it too early to say that the Giants have played better defense since the loss of Jabrill Peppers? Much of that has to be credited this week to the play of Xavier McKinney, who turned in the best game of his young Giants career. McKinney had two interceptions in just his second game since Jabrill Peppers was lost for the season; one returned for a touchdown.  

What’s Next?

The Giants second-half schedule is a mixed bag. They play at the Buccaneers (Loss), home against the Eagles (Win), at the Dolphins (Loss), at the Chargers (Loss), home against the Cowboys (Loss), at the Eagles (Loss), at the Bears (Win), and finish home against Washington (Win). I think the Giants could end up with a 6-11 record, maybe 8-9 if they get lucky and win some divisional games, but I really doubt it. So another season with a losing record is looming.

Fans have been clamoring for David Gentlemen to get fired. Especially since some of his acquisitions this off-season have under-performed. Kenny Golladay missed as many games as he had in his first season as a Giant. Mainly it’s been the construction of the offensive line that has been a four-year disaster.

Giants fans are not sure what to do with Joe Judge, but one thing for sure is that Jason Garrett needs to go as offensive coordinator. The play-calling has been so predictable, and if not for the athleticism of Jones, the offense could look way way worse. Much like 2020, Patrick Graham’s defense started slow, but is playing better down the stretch.  

The questions on fans’ minds are: do you roll it back with Jones, Judge, and Gettleman for next season? Do you allow a new GM to clean house on the entire coaching staff? One thing is clear: the 2022 QB class does not offer much in the way of an upgrade from Jones. So do you roll the dice in 2022 with the same group and hope that if it does not improve, you have more to start within 2023? 

Many questions need to be answered, and with nine more weeks to go, the answers may uncover themselves.