Bad Luck Equals Andrew Luck for Big Blue

After losing a heart breaker two weeks prior to the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants marched into MetLife Stadium in dire need of a victory Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. In a rare occurrence, New York won the coin toss and requested to start the game on offense, but the offense never showed, as Andrew Luck and the Colts stomped all over the G-Men in a gut-wrenching 40-24 loss. 

Here's the breakdown of the "Giant" debacle. 

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Secondary Concerns Are Primary Problems

New York entered last night's game allowing forty-eight total points to opponents in the first quarter alone, and with a depleting secondary unit, Indianapolis read and took advantage of the holes in the Giants' defense. Although the defense kept the game competitive until the start of the third, the defensive line showed a lackluster pass rush, despite an above average performance by defensive-end Robert Ayers. Jason Pierre-Paul's power and intensity was absent against a strong Colts offensive line, linebacker Jacquian Williams struggled keeping up with slot receivers, and the loss of Prince Amukamara to a torn bicep leaves the cornerback position vulnerable and inexperienced. Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie made a valiant effort to pick off a pass attempt to Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton, but Cromartie failed in holding on to the ball, as he was manhandled in the endzone by Hilton for another Colts touchdown. Amukamara lead the defense in interceptions, and with Prince gone for the rest of the year, the weight will be on the shoulders of Jayron Hosely and Walter Thurmond. With their backs against the wall, New York cannot rely on their defense to keep them in games. 


 "The New York Sock Exchange"

(Photo Courtesy of ESPN)

With credit to WFAN's Al Dukes, Tom Coughlin's struggle to take the challenge flag out his sock resulted in massive chaos on the Giants sideline, as the defensive formation was not set to face the Colt offense. Andrew Luck and his posse noticed the confusion immediately as they rushed to the line of scrimmage to run a play, and as if it only made sense to the Giants, Indianapolis scored six on the play by tossing a dump off pass to Coby Fleener for 32 yards. Tom Coughlin would have most likely lost the challenge, but a stoppage in play prevents a hurry up offense in that situation. It also may be time to keep the red flag in your pocket, Tom.  



Eli And The Offensive Scheme 

Weeks three through five tallied 105 points for Big Blue's offense, but as Week 6 rolled around, Philadelphia's presence scared off New York's lineman, along with the crucial season ending knee injury to Victor Cruz. Eli Manning has now played 13 total games under the new regime of offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's play calling, and while the offensive targets have depreciated since the preseason, the consistency and execution of the pass and run games have been below par. Don't let last night's statistics fool you. Manning threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns, but those 14 points came in garbage time with the game already lost, and New York totaled only 120 total yards in the first half. The pressure in the pocket forced dangerous and weak throws from Manning, but even the throws on target were dropped by receivers Rueben Randle and Preston Parker. The only silver lining to take from this game is that rookie Odell Beckham Jr. has shown the league that he is lightning in a bottle, and Eli must connect with Beckham Jr. at least fifteen times per game. On the other hand, the running game has been abysmal, as it is evident that the absence of Rashad Jennings in the backfield has impacted the ground game, and with the majority of the touches being given to rookie Andre Williams, the draw play on first down is not the solution to build up a successful drive. Sure, Williams had a decent second half, but the game was out already out of hand, and Indianapolis brought the heat up the gaps from start to finish. 

We're On To Seattle...Or Are We?

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Giants now sit at 3-5 on the season, holding third place in the division by half a game to Washington. After two weeks of preparation for the Colts, it was imperative for the Giants to come out swinging Monday night, but New York failed in all three phases of the game and now face the daunting task of opposing the defending champion Seahawks in Seattle Sunday afternoon. Three weeks ago when the Giants entered Philly, they stood at 3-2 coming off a three game winning streak. The game against the Eagles began a five game rough patch in Giants' schedule, and since their defeat to the Dirty Birds, New York has dropped three straight, and will most likely fold again this Sunday. From there on out, the Giants host the shaky 49ers and Cowboys, and then travel to Jacksoville and Tennessee the following weeks. By next Monday, the Giants will most likely be 3-6 with their heads looking in to the playoff picture window. With either Dallas or Philadelphia arguably claiming the NFC East, a wild card spot seems like too steep a mountain to climb, as Big Blue would have to finish the year 7-0 or at least 6-1. In all fairness, the Giants' have always been a moody football team, and it is hard to tell where they will stand by Thanksgiving. All we can take from Monday night is that injuries plague a football team, and that perhaps this Giants team is playing to their expectations since September began. There's plenty of football left, but as Yogi once said, "It's getting late early out there."