Giants Week 2 report card: Complete turnaround vs. Cardinals

Grading the Giants’ 31-28 win towards the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.

Offense

It was like somebody slipped the Giants a solution key at halftime. Common out the failure of the primary half – 81 yards, a giveaway and no factors – with the acing of the second half, the place they scored 31 factors, together with touchdowns on 4 straight drives.

Daniel Jones threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Saquon Barkley totaled 92 yards from scrimmage and scored touchdowns on the bottom and thru the air, with a full-extension stretch throughout the aim line. Jalin Hyatt began the second half with a 58-yard reception that flipped the sport on its head. And the offensive line held up (three sacks allowed) with out All-Professional left sort out Andrew Thomas and with a first-time left sort out (Josh Ezeudu) and a first-time starter (proper guard Marcus McKethan).

Brian Daboll denied that he took on an even bigger function in play-calling within the second half.

Grade: B+

Protection

When wanted, the protection pressured three straight punts to feed into the touchdowns that allow the Giants get to inside 28-21, tie the rating at 28-28 and rating the successful factors. What’s extra is that the final two stops had been three-and-outs, which conserved time for the comeback. And the Giants obtained a cease within the ultimate 19 seconds, too.

None of that was foreseen after the Giants allowed scores on 5 straight possessions – three touchdowns and two discipline targets. It might have been six straight however the Cardinals opened the sport with an overthrown would-be landing main right into a missed 55-yard discipline aim.

Jason Pinnock had 13 tackles, together with three for loss. The Giants didn’t have a sack or a takeaway and missed too many tackles.

Grade: B

Particular Groups

Graham Gano transformed all 4 PATs and the game-winning 34-yard discipline aim, after going 0-for-2 final week. He bailed the Giants out with a PAT after their intent to go for a two-point conversion, down 28-20, was ruined by Parris Campbell’s false begin penalty.

Rookie Eric Grey, who has appeared shaky catching punts in observe, had a 14-yard return late within the sport. Most significantly, he secured the ball.

Cardinals returner Greg Dortch’s solely notable return was negated by a penalty.

A comparatively low-impact sport after a disastrous Week 1.

Grade: B-

Teaching

After all of the speak of placing final week’s stinkbomb up to now, the Giants got here out flat. The 20-0 halftime deficit towards arguably the league’s least-talented roster was unacceptable. That must be figured into the large image.

The protection appeared stunned by quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ mobility. The offense’s resolution to not give a carry to Saquon Barkley on two of the primary three drives — each ending in three-and-outs — was maddening, particularly with nostril sort out Leki Fotu sidelined.

Credit score for the offensive line tweaks that allowed the group to stabilize regardless of inexperience, the second-half changes and the aggressive play-calling that lit a spark. Most of all, credit score for holding gamers engaged in believing {that a} comeback was potential and permitting a number of to talk their minds at halftime.

Grade: B