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This was, to be honest, kind of a boring game until it became the "Odell Beckham" and "Defensive Front Seven" show in the second half. The New York Giants pounded the Washington Redskins into submission during this time. It was clear what would happen on every drive. On offense the Giants would look to Beckham. On defense, it would be SACKS SACKS SACKS. That's always fun. Here's five things we observed from the game:
Jason Pierre-Paul Is On A Full On Contract Push
This marks the third straight monster game by Jason Pierre-Paul as he was destroying Trent Williams all day. He made consistent plays in the run game, standing up multiple blockers and allowing Devon Kennard to fly through to make tackles for loss. He also had 2.5 sacks and a boatload more pressures and QB hits as he showed quickness off the snap and a burst that has been missing for most of this season.
He's been hitting harder and harder, as he nears ten sacks for the season and there's no signs of him slowing down. Is this just a measure of playing against bad competition? I'm sure that's got something to do with it, but at the same time, your burst and bend is really independent of who you're playing against. So one has to wonder where this was for a lot of the season. I don't know. All I do know is that JPP has made himself a few million more dollars over the last few games.
It's Clear That The Two Starters Right Now Are Preston Parker And Odell Beckham Jr.
Here at Big Blue View, we revel in the brilliance of Odell Beckham on a near daily basis (though he gives us a reason to). No difference this week, as he not only dominated the stat sheet with another big game and three TDs (should've been four!) but also caused an absurd FIVE penalties committed by opponent Bashaud Breeland. So now, let's talk about Preston Parker. He's been better and better.
Ran some pretty good routes including a perfect rub route to take out a defender on Odell Beckham's first touchdown. He is consistent in getting open and only has a few drops. Rueben Randle, meanwhile, is so far gone at this point that you have to wonder if there's something else going on. Confidence seems shattered. Two drops and that, too, only after being benched for the first quarter again. Something is wrong here and he's tanking precipitously.
The Special Teams Were Fantastic
It's not every day that you hear that when it comes to special teams. Especially when the special teams belongs to the Giants. However today, they were fantastic. In quite possibly the coolest kickoff I've ever seen, the Giants converted an onside kick in which they started in Redskins territory thanks to an end-of-half penalty by Santana Moss. That was a picture perfect play by Josh Brown and the coverage team.
Adding to that were tremendous punts all day by Steve Weatherford. He and Zack Bowman made up a tremendous duo as Bowman downed at least two of Weatherford's punts inside the five yard line. Tom Quinn has had many more bad days than good, but let's give him and his unit credit for a fantastic day at the office today.
Four Young Guys With Big Games
The new four horsemen on the front seven. They are Kerry Wynn, Damontre Moore, Johnathan Hankins, and Devon Kennard. We've talked about the latter three for some time now, and they have not disappointed. Wynn flashed quite a bit in previous games, and today was no different. He's going to be on this team for sure next year and will likely be a big part going forward.
Together the four of these guys combined to have an insane 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, five QB hits, and a pass defensed between them. That's called the future and it's a bright one.
The #GiantTankJob Takes A Hit
For those of you concerned about where the Giants will likely end up in the draft order, this win essentially eliminates the Giants from getting a pick higher than seventh overall. Due to current rules about how to slot teams with identical records, teams with the easier strength of schedule are slotted early than those who have earned that record against tougher opponents. Given that the Giants play the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles for the last two weeks means that their strength of schedule likely won't get much easier.
With their loss today, the Atlanta Falcons sit at an equivalent 5-9 and slide in front of the Giants for the seventh spot. Also, in the Monday Night Football tilt between the 5-8 Chicago Bears and 5-8 New Orleans Saints, the loser will slide into the eighth spot with a 5-9 record but easier overall strength of schedule. So as of this week, the Giants are now picking ninth and in danger of dropping out of the top 10 altogether.