Behind rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, the New York Giants have looked like a different team. Prior to Week 15, they had ripped off three straight wins and were playing with both confidence and energy.
“Swagger” is what DeVito would call it.
However, that all changed on Sunday afternoon in a 24-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome.
The Giants looked like anything but a team with swagger. There was no confidence, there was little energy and they hardly resembled a team fighting for a return to the playoffs. They were lethargic and appeared disinterested.
“We just lacked execution on offense. We weren’t good on third downs. We have to be better,” DeVito said after the game. “I don’t think we played with enough swagger. I put that on me because I’m like, I take that personally, as far as playing with energy, playing with juice. So I need to be better with that.”
DeVito felt as if the Giants got punched in the mouth early on and their own miscues began to compound matters. Once the ball started rolling, the energy and effort never returned.
“I just feel like we kind of got in a little bit of a lull at times. I think it just goes with the execution part,” DeVito said. “But just keep the energy high at all times.”
While the Giants faltered, the Saints celebrated. With nearly each sack, they mocked DeVito with his own hand gesture. But it’s not something he takes personally — it’s all part of the competition.
“It’s all fun and games,” he said. “Part of game.”
DeVito, who described his Week 15 play as “average,” will start again on Christmas Day against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Brian Daboll revealed that news during his own post-game press conference.
“He believes in me. I’m going to continue to try to earn his trust and all that each play that I’m on the field,” DeVito said.
