On Sunday, the New York Giants were looking forward to the return of star rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who had missed the previous two games recovering from a concussion.
The Giants responded by gaining just 119 net yards of offense — 41 by Nabers on four catches — in their 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at home.
Nabers was targeted eight times in the game but the Giants’ pop-gun offensive game plan combined with Daniel Jones running for his life on most plays, led to a sorry output against a lukewarm Eagles defense.
“I mean, I was open,” Nabers said after the game, via the New York Post.
All of Nabers’ receptions came in the first half. He was targeted just twice in the second half — not exactly a strategy one would imagine for a team playing catch-up.
“It was very difficult out there. We gotta do a better job of just making plays and protecting the quarterback and trying to do our best to score points,” Nabers added. “Our defense was doing a hell of a job, playing a good game. But it’s hard when you’re going 3-and-out, and when they get back on the field, they’re tired.
“We gotta give our defense some time to get some breathers, so when they get back out there, they’re still playing at a high level.”
The Giants were playing their first game without All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was lost for the season after undergoing surgery on his foot last week.
As a result, Jones was under siege all game, and the Eagles’ pass rush had free reign it seemed, sacking Jones seven times and his understudy Drew Lock once.
Nabers was on the field for 93 percent of the Giants’ 58 offensive snaps. He was there, where was the ball?
The Giants converted just 10 first downs, punted on 11 of their 13 possessions and their longest gain of the day went for just 14 yards.
You’re not beating anyone playing like that.
