The New York Giants improved to 6-1 on the season, winning another close game on Sunday, 23-17, this time against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here are a few things we learned in Week 7.
You are what you're record says you are
Bill Parcells said that years ago and it still rings true to this day. Most teams don’t like the phrase because it’s usually applied when a good team isn’t playing put to standards.
In the Giants’ case, we are experiencing the opposite. Many fans and pundits are doubting they are as good as their 6-1 record indicates. That’s too bad because the NFL doesn’t award style points so their record is all we have to go on right now.
The New York football Giants are 6-1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Hbh4QIdyEI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 23, 2022
Being 6-1 is great and head coach Brian Daboll is not resting on any laurels.
“Well, I’m never really happy ever. You know it’s always on to the next week. I’m glad we won, but like I say every week, there’s certain things to clean up, and this week is no exception,” he said. “There were some good things we did. I thought offense got off to a fast start, did a good job of converting 3rd downs, did a good enough job in the red zone, took care of the ball defensively, got the ball out there when they were going into the red zone, had a critical 4th down stop.
“At critical moments that was good, but we gave up too many yards, we didn’t capitalize in the red zone. Didn’t finish the game we should have finished the game. There’re always things to clean up.”
Daniel Jones apologizes for being human
Daniel Jones rarely shows emotion but being an NFL quarterback can be frustrating at times. On Sunday, his receivers dropped a number of catchable passes which derailed drives and thwarted scoring chances.
None was more notable than the dropped first down/touchdown on the goal line by wide receiver Marcus Johnson on fourth down.
"CATCH THE F***ING BALL"
Daniel Jones is HEATED at his wide receivers pic.twitter.com/nB7qhZdL2U
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) October 23, 2022
After game however, in true Jones fashion, he apologized for being human.
“Yeah, heat of the moment, and I wish I could have that situation back,” Jones told reporters. “I pride myself on being composed in those situations. Yeah, I wasn’t there. I’ve got full faith and confidence in the world in Marcus, and yeah, disappointed I let that happen.”
Barkley continues to roll
Saquon Barkley’s comeback tour is more like a tour de force. He was essentially shut out in the first half of Sunday’s game by the Jaguars’ defense but rebounded nicely and displayed why he should be considered a serious MVP candidate.
The Jags’ third-ranked run defense held Barkley to 18 first half yards on the ground but he rebounded nicely and finished with 110 on the day.
“You never want to take credit from another team. They did a great job,” Barkley said of the Jags’ effort after the game. “But that was me. I was running soft, thinking about the wrong things. (The) O-line was playing lights out. I’ve got to do a better job hitting the hole. But I’ll find a way to get on fire a little bit, closer to the end of the game. I’ve got to go a better job starting out faster.”
But as we’re seeing, its not how you start but how you finish.
Saquon Barkley has 906 yards from scrimmage this season.
Nearly 100 more than any other player (Nick Chubb, 807) pic.twitter.com/JR5qavB6Aj
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 23, 2022
The defense comes up clutch again
The Giants’ defense may bend, fold and be mutilated at times but they rarely break. On Sunday, they held once again, stopping the Jaguars on the one-yard line as the clock ran out.
The three players that made that last-second stand — cornerback Fabian Moreau and safeties Julian Love and Xavier McKinney — were the only Giant defenders to play all 71 defensive snaps and none was more important than snap No. 71.
As called by @BobPapa_NFL on Giants radio: pic.twitter.com/MTiaC4sIW6
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 23, 2022
The injuries continue
The Giants lost three starters to injury in Sunday’s game — guard Ben Bredeson, right tackle Evan Neal and tight end Daniel Bellinger.
Neal and Bredeson both left with knee injuries but reportedly dodged serious long-term issues. Bellinger, however, was poked in the eye and had to be attended to at a local hospital.
Initial word in Daniel Bellinger tonight is he will likely require surgery but his vision seems to be OK. Flew home w team. Will visit an ophthalmologist in NY tomorrow.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) October 24, 2022
The Giants’ rookie class has been through the meat grinder thus far. Of their 11 selections in this year’s NFL draft, only third-round offensive lineman and fifth-round linebacker Micah McFadden have avoided injury this season.
Last year’s class is faring no better. First-rounder Kadarius Toney and second-rounder Azeez Ojulari have been sidelined most of the season while third-, fourth- and sixth-rounders Allen Robinson, Elerson Smith and Rodarius Williams are all currently on injured reserve.
