The Giants lost 28-10 to the Vikings on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here are five thoughts from the game.
1. Inconsistent and Incomplete
You could argue this has been the case with the franchise for the last seven seasons.
This is the best defense the Giants have faced all season. They did things well on Sunday. Just not enough to ultimately matter. The defense gave up a ton of yards, especially between the 20’s, but forced the Vikings into four field goal attempts. Given the amount of yardage given up (490 total), this could have been a lot worse.
In the few times the secondary would hold up in pass coverage, the defensive line couldn’t generate a pass rush and eventually receivers would find their way open.
When the defense made a good play and give the offense a chance. The offense would miscue and either go three and out or give up a safety as they did late in the second quarter after a strip fumble caused by Jabrill Peppers.
Football is the ultimate team game. “Eleven As One” and all that. But it has been quite some time since all players on both sides of the ball have been moving as one for this franchise.
2. Jabrill Peppers made his presence felt
If you check the box score you’ll see five tackles (four solo), one tackle for a loss, and a forced fumble.
He was disciplined with his assignments, contributed early to stopping the Vikings run game, and was present in ways he hasn’t been so far this season.
Peppers was a part of the trade that sent Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns. For better and for worse, he will forever be linked with OBJ.
The Giants believed whatever “distractions” that came with OBJ were ultimately not worth it, despite his immense talent and production. If Peppers is more the type of player they want in the locker room, he better have more games like Sunday to justify that trade.
3. Sterling Shepard is an excellent route runner
Overall a fairly pedestrian day for Shepard. He had five catches for 49 yards on 10 targets. Daniel Jones missed him in the end zone on a touchdown and he had another opportunity to score later and couldn’t hold on to the pass in tight coverage.
He would likely want those plays back, but he is an excellent route runner. On third down and 10 yards to go in the fourth quarter, Shepard ran a tight route, stuck is foot in the ground and pivoted to gain separation from the defender. Jones hit him for 18 yards and a first down.
Shepard has always been a diligent worker when it comes to perfecting his route running and ability to get open. Until Saquon Barkley gets back, he’s going to have to step up his game even more.
4. Total yards and time of possession
490 yards and almost 33 minutes.
That’s how much field the Vikings chewed up and held on to the ball on Sunday. The latter is only respectable from the Giants perspective, as costly Vikings penalties kept extending drives. Still, the Giants were only able to score 10 points.
5. Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen
The critique of Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins by his receiver Adam Thielen was the talk of the week heading into Sunday’s game. Thielen was right. Cousins needed to play better and get the ball to his playmakers of which Thielen is one, along with Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook.
Thielen had 7 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the win on Sunday. After his first touchdown he engaged in a little end zone celebration.
Typically when a wide receiver calls out his quarterback and celebrates in the end zone after touchdowns, he’s referred to as a “diva” or a “look at me guy.” What is Adam Thielen?
I’m just wondering. Is Adam Thielen a diva wide receiver or a “look at me” guy? Just curious 😏 #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/3SswAslfrU
— Jarod Hector (@jshector) October 6, 2019
Dalvin Cook worked the Giants for 218 total yards on 27 touches. They had no answer for him in the short passing game or running the football.
With skill players like Cook, Diggs, and Thielen the Vikings should be NFC championship contenders.
The Giants fall to 2-3 and have a quick turnaround as they play the Patriots on Thursday night at Foxboro Stadium.
Flip the page to see Giants head coach Pat Shurmur in his postgame news conference. He held back from going after the officials.