OFFENSE: B
Efficiency was the gameplan and the Giants stuck to that. They didn’t have a play that went for more than 18 yards but didn’t turn it over either. Jaxson Dart was solid in his NFL starting debut with a touchdown rushing and throwing while Cam Skattebo continued to grind out tough yards (79 rushing on 25 carries). Two-for-five in the red zone still isn’t great but considering they were 2-for-10 in the first three games it was an improvement.
DEFENSE: B+
This is what the defensive front is supposed to look like, generating 20 pressures on Justin Herbert with just two sacks but forcing two interceptions. Having Dexter Lawrence (who had one of the picks and nearly scored on it) back playing at his All-Pro level certainly helps everyone. There were a few lapses in tackling and coverages — a 54-yard touchdown run by Omarion Hampton late in the third quarter felt like it could have doomed them — but Brian Burns’ late sack helped seal the win.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Jamie Gillen’s 69-yard punt from the end zone with the ball on the 1 was one of the more underrated plays of the game, especially since three snaps later the Giants forced an interception that led to the touchdown that gave them a 21-10 lead. Jude McAtamney connected on field goals of 22 and 31 yards in his first game replacing Graham Gano (on IR with a groin injury). Chris Manhertz had an important tackle on a punt to keep the Chargers pinned deep when they got the ball back with 18 seconds left.
COACHING: A
Brian Daboll said it was his decision to start Dart so he gets the credit for it working. But beyond the move it also allowed the Giants to open their playbook to a few more creative pages including the one that had the shovel pass from Dart to Theo Johnson for a third-quarter touchdown. Daboll was also 1-for-2 on challenges, both regarding spots of the ball. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is learning to trust his players; after they got burned on a Burns blitz earlier Burns asked for it to be called up again and it resulted in the key sack with 3:30 remaining.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday’s Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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