The New York Giants faced off against the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday. Big Blue entered the game as eight-point underdogs but don’t tell them that. They gutted out a 27-22 victory and are now 4-1, their best start since 2009.
Here are some winners, losers and in-betweens from Sunday’s exciting win.
Winners
Daniel Jones: A profile in courage if there ever was one. Jones came into the game on a wonky ankle and, surrounded by a group of backups and outcasts, dragged the Giants on his back in the fourth quarter after Saquon Barkley left with a shoulder injury. There was never any doubt about his toughness and now his leadership resume is growing as well.
Saquon Barkley: The stud running back got off to a slow start and overcame a shoulder ding in the fourth quarter to help Big Blue secure the win. He rushed for 70 yards and the winning touchdown, and caught three passes for 36 yards.
Darius Slayton: Injuries and desperation got him released from the doghouse this week. He was basically the Giants’ top wide receiving option and he responded with six catches for 79 yards.
The Defense: Don’t look at the stats. Okay, look at the stats. They allowed 20 points and 200 yards of total offense in the first half. The second half was a different story. They shut out Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and held them to 101 yards. On the final possessions, they harassed Rodgers with batted balls and undue pressure to seal the deal.
Brian Daboll: Few believed that the culture could be changed. Daboll insisted that it could. His team keeps fighting every week as injuries and other adversities pile up. The grit they showed in this game is a direct reflection of his leadership and drive.
London: Whoever still thinks this International Series is a waste is not paying attention. The crowd (mostly Packers fans) was completely engaged. The teams, the fans, the locals and the media were all rejuvenated and pumped for this one. It was a good day for the NFL as two their seminal franchises were on display at a great venue and put on a helluva good show.
Others: Julian Love, Xavier McKinney
Losers
There are no losers on the Giants’ sideline this week: It’s impossible to pick one player or coach who didn’t give their all in this game or underperformed. It seemed everywhere they turned someone was making a clutch play. A total team effort that resulted in vanquishing a ‘superior’ opponent.
Aaron Rodgers: Was that Rodgers or his doppelganger out there in the second half? He had an easy time of it in the first half but didn’t get the same opportunities in the second half. The Giants got in his face, stoped the run and made the plays they needed to make.
Non-believers: Those who doubt this team from week to week and keep betting against them are losers right now. The bet of the week was Packers -8 and under 41. The Giants changed that by stunning the Packers with their ‘never-say-die’ attitude and penchant for making clutch plays.
Mixed reviews
The secondary: Overall, they played well. At points you didn’t recognize too many of them because most of them haven’t been with the team very long. Julian Love and Xavier McKinney are both stars and are becoming one the league’s best safety tandems.
Dexter Lawrence: He’s actually a Pro Bowl-level guy, too. Lawrence has become a force in the middle of the Giants’ defense getting huge pressure and making life difficult for offenses.
Daniel Bellinger: Still a very green prospect but he’s answering the call when the Giants need him. He’s getting better by the week.
