Giants Fall to Packers, Lose Third Game in a Row

Eli Manning (Giants.com)

The New York Giants struggles on both sides of the ball lead to a 23-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

Ben McAdoo’s homecoming against Green Bay did not go the way he had envisioned. Giants could not get anything going offensively due to coverage on receivers and errant passes by quarterback Eli Manning. Giants were only able to score three field goals through three-plus quarters into the game.

After kicker Mason Crosby successfully completed a 25 yard field goal with 6:39 remaining in the game, the Giants would make an attempt for a huge comeback. Eli would complete a succession of passes to move the Giants down to the Packers’ eight yard line. After the hike of the ball, Eli would run out of the pocket, evade the defenders, and launch the ball high into the air. The ball looked as if it was going to go out of bounds, but Odell Beckham Jr had other plans. Beckham ascended into the air, caught the ball and had both feet in bounds to get his first touchdown of the season and more importantly, get the Giants within seven points to tie the game. Beckham celebrated by hugging the kicking net on the Giants sidelines in a funny moment, which had haunted him two weeks ago against the Washington Redskins.

Giants had one goal and that was to stop the Packers with 2:54 remaining in the game, gain possession of the ball to attempt to tie the game. After a close call fumble by Packers running back James Starks, the Packers completed a third down conversion on a pass to Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb. This would leave the Giants with no timeouts left, leading to the Packers to kneel down the ball to run the clock out and end the game.

“We didn’t make enough throws or contested catches,” said McAdoo. “We need to play and execute better.”

Giants offensively could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball through the majority of the game. Eli Manning just seemed to be off his game. Passes were not going to their intended targets and the accuracy was just not there. Some of it could be contributed to the offensive line collapsing at points, forcing Manning to throw the ball on the run. However, it was a collective effort in lack of offensive production. Manning ended the game completing 18 of 35 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

“They played well,” said Manning. “We had some opportunities and didn’t capitalize on some opportunities…I still feel we’re a good offense. We have to understand how teams are going to start playing us and be ready for that.”

Running the ball was not much of an option for the Giants, as the Packers boast one of the best rushing defenses in the league. On 15 attempts, the Giants were only able to attain 43 rushing yards throughout the entire game.

“[Packers] make it tough to run the ball,” said McAdoo. “…With the type of game it was, we knew it would be tough to run the ball…We needed to use the pass instead of the run a little bit and it didn’t work out tonight.”

Odell Beckham Jr entered this game under a lot of scrutiny based on his emotional outbursts in the prior two games. However, his emotions did not get the best of him, as he was calm and tamed throughout the game. Beckham ended the game with five receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown.

“This is what I love doing,” said Beckham. “You play to leave a legacy. You play for bigger things than just scoring touchdowns. You play to win. I hate losing games more than I enjoy winning games.”

The $200 million defense has not been living up to the hype this season. As far as the pass rush, the Giants could not gain any pressure on Aaron Rodgers, leaving him with so much time in the pocket and giving him enough time to scramble for positive gains. Rodgers remained untouched throughout the entire game behind his offensive line.

“Aaron [Rodgers] does a good job of extending a play and moving out of the pocket,” said McAdoo. “…I thought there were times where we got pressure but we got to keep in the pocket.”

One bright spot on the defense was cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who picked off the ball twice in this game, which just so happened to be the Giants first two forced turnovers by the defense.

“It felt good to get those turnovers,” said Jenkins. “…we have to continue to get more. We fought. We just have to come through and finish strong.”

Green Bay lead the game in total yards 406-219, total plays 77-54, and time of possession 36:38-23:22. Both teams were tied in number of penalties, six for each (57 yards to the Packers and 51 yards to the Giants). The Giants did win in the turnover differential, losing the ball once, as opposed to the Packers who lost the ball twice.

The Giants (2-3) now find themselves in last place in the NFC East. The Cowboys (4-1) lead the division, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) and the Washington Redskins (3-2). The Giants look to pick up steam as they return home next Sunday to play the Baltimore Ravens (3-2), who have the third best defense in the entire league.