The New York Giants entered Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills as 16-point road underdogs. Precious few even gave them a chance with 99 percent of all experts predicting a double-digit loss.
Considering the team’s struggles early this season and their mounting injuries, that perception was warranted. But the NFL is unpredictable and anyone can win on any given Sunday.
That wasn’t ultimately in the cards for the Giants on this night. And although there are no moral victories in football, at least they didn’t humiliate themselves again. Positive steps.
Here’s a look at some of the studs and duds (and studly duds) from the team’s latest loss.
STUD: LB Bobby Okereke
It was a slow start to the season for linebacker Bobby Okereke but that now feels like a distant memory. He’s turned it on in recent weeks and completely went off on Sunday night. Okereke was all over the field making plays left and right. His impact was undeniable.
Okereke finished the night with 11 tackles (eight solo, two for a loss), one forced fumble and two passes defensed.
DUD: RB Eric Gray
Forget that rookie running back Eric Gray made little happen offensively, it’s his special teams play that remains a bit of a concern. He opened the second half by fielding the kickoff inside of the 20 instead of signaling a fair catch, leaving the Giants offense further back than it should have been. He was subsequently replaced by Parris Campbell.
STUD: WR Wan'Dale Robinson
You’d think Wan’Dale Robinson was a seasoned veteran and not a young player appearing in just his 10th career game. His field presence is wildly impressive and his football IQ is through the roof. He demonstrated that on several occasions Sunday night, catching short passes and immediately turning up the field for a first down.
DUD: NFL officials
Every prime-time game the referees seem to make it about themselves. They want TV time and Sunday night was no exception. The flags were being given out like Halloween candy, including an egregious roughing the passer call against Bobby Okereke that will undoubtedly result in an apology from the league.
STUD: LB Micah McFadden
Micah McFadden’s stellar night was overshadowed only by Okereke, who pitched in on McFadden’s production. The second-year linebacker finished the night with seven tackles (three solo), one fumble recovery, one pass defensed and one interception.
DUD: Brian Daboll
Clock management. It’s a weakness of Brian Daboll’s and it cost the Giants mightily on the night. He ran too much time off the clock at the end of the second half before ultimately using his final timeout. That left the offense in a goal-to-go situation, Tyrod Taylor checked into a run and the rest is history. It was an embarrassment.
There will also be some questions about the play calling.
STUD: P Jamie Gillan
Don’t look now but punter Jamie Gillan is playing at an All-Pro level. Against the Bills, he punted four times for 202 yards (50.5 average) with a long of 64 yards. He dropped two of those inside the 20 and allowed just three total yards on returns.
STUDLY DUD: QB Tyrod Taylor
The Giants did an excellent job of moving the pocket for Taylor, counteracting their struggling offensive line. As a result, he made several strong throws, including a few down the field, and his elusiveness also paid dividends. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Taylor also missed two wide-open receivers, fumbled (recovered), and inexplicably checked into a run play to end the first half, costing the Giants at least three points (likely seven).
STUDLY DUD: RB Saquon Barkley
It was an absolute grind for Saquon Barkley over the first three-plus quarters of the game. Despite his injury, he saw a steady workload but made very little happen with the opportunities. His presence did help open things up down the field but his individual production was minimal.
Then came the fourth quarter and Barkley went off. The boom or bust back went boom with several huge runs, helping to give the Giants the lead late. Then all fell quiet again as the Bills loaded up to stop him over the final two series.
Other STUDS
- WR Darius Slayton
- NT Dexter Lawrence
- K Graham Gano
- OL Justin Pugh
Other DUDS
- LB Boogie Basham
- DL A’Shawn Robinson
