Football is a team game. I reiterate. Football is a team game. This small montage of quotes should explain as much.

"You play to win the game!" (Herm Edwards)

"If I were in charge, I'd drug test all you sons of bitches, not just the athletes" (Bob Knight)

"You are what your records says you are" (Bill Parcells)

So why is the Giant defense catching so much flak coming off some really bad offensive performances? Let's look at some numbers on drives and sustainability. And by that, I mean to say we will look at the Giant offense.

The Giants have lost three games this season (to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Dallas).

Offensive Performance

Week 1 (Dallas)

Possessions (9)
Drives Ending in Punt Formation (4)
Three And Outs (3)
Drives Ending in Turnover (1)
Drives of Five Plays of Less (6)
Touchdowns vs. Fields Goals (2 TD vs. 1 FG)
Percentage of Failed Opportunities to Score: 56%

Week 4 (Philadelphia)

Possessions (11)
Drives Ending in Punt Formation (5)
Three And Outs (2)
Drives Ending in Turnover (2)
Drives of Five Plays of Less (4)
Touchdowns vs. Field Goals (2 TD vs. 1 FG)

Percentage of Failed Opportunities to Score: 64%

Week 9 (Pittsburgh)

Possessions (10)
Drives Ending in Punt Formation (5)
Three And Outs (4)
Drives Ending in Turnover (2)
Drives of Five Plays of Less (7)
Touchdowns vs. Field Goals (1 TD vs. 2 FG)*
Percentage of Failed Opportunities to Score Points: 70%

*Note: Defense scored other TD

Defensive Performance

Week 1 (Dallas)

Possessions (9)
Drives Ending in Punt Formation (2)
Three And Outs (1)
Drives Ending in Turnover (2)
Drives of Five Plays of Less (3)
Touchdowns vs. Field Goals Allowed (1 FG vs. 3 TD)
Percentage of Scoreless Drives: 44%

Week 4 (Philadelphia)

Possessions (10)
Drives Ending in Punt Formation (4)
Three And Outs (2)
Drives Ending in Turnover (0)
Drives of Five Plays of Less (2)
Touchdowns vs. Field Goals Allowed (4 FG vs. 1 TD)
Percentage of Scoreless Drives: 40%

Week 9 (Pittsburgh)

Possessions (12)
Drives Ending in Punt Formation (4)
Three And Outs (2)*
Drives Ending in Turnover (3)
Drives of Five Plays of Less (6)
Touchdowns vs. Field Goals Allowed (1 FG vs. 3 TD)
Percentage of Scoreless Drives: 66%

*There was a Four And Out, which counts

Analysis

The defense could have played better. I also could have purchased a winning lottery ticket if I'd just bought more of them. Bottom line is that the evidence clearly points to them playing some pretty solid football, despite the offense not being able to move the ball with any consistency in these games, sustain drives, and score points.

The Giant D has allowed more than 24 points on just two occasions this year: to Tampa Bay (34) and Cleveland (27). However, it is worth noting that the Giants turned the ball over five times in those two games.

The Giants defense is second in the league in takeaways (with 26). While a lot of fans prefer not to count these as meaningful, they are. The defense has provided the offense plenty of opportunities. That said, could they play better? Yes. At times, they've looked downright awful. However, they've played a little better than I expected them to coming into the season, so it's hard for me to complain a whole lot.

The problem for the Giants seems to be playing the complete game. Even in San Francisco, we kicked one too many field goals. When the offense is clicking, the defense seems to fall apart. Special teams I will not talk about, but the bottom line is we need all three units to show up on Sundays. This team has showed numerous times that it can dominate both sides of the ball.