Giants’ McAdoo: “I think we’re ready to break out” on offense

The New York Giants have piled up yardage on offense in their first four games, sixth in the league with an average of 382.2 yards per game. They are, however, only 27th in points at 18.2 per game.

Giants’ fans know the story. Penalties, turnovers, near misses. Head coach Ben McAdoo said Wednesday he thinks that is about to change.

“I think we’re ready to break out. In every way, shape and form, we’re ready to break out. We’re due,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in the group.”

The Giants have yet to score more than 27 points in a game, and have twice been held under 20. They didn’t even score an offensive touchdown in a 16-13 Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The Giants were sixth in the league in points scored a season ago, and scored 30 or more points seven times.

The Giants are 28th in the league in red zone scoring percentage at just 46.15 percent.

“I don't really look at the stats but now that you say that, it's just turnovers,” quarterback Eli Manning said. “That's just turnovers and obviously had a few games where we got in the red zone and weren't able to get enough touchdowns and turned the ball over down there. We’ve got to hold on to the ball and we just have to finish the drives.

Manning said “I hope so” when asked if McAdoo was right about an upcoming breakout.

“I think we've done good things. Last week we didn't do as well against a good defense. We knew it was going to be tough. You're hoping to be able to hit a couple big shots, which we weren't able to connect on, and that was kind of different,” he said. “I think we have good players; a lot of guys are doing good things. We just got to put it all together and I think we'll be okay.”

Guard Justin Pugh is also optimistic that better offensive performances are ahead.

“I feel really good about our offense. We’ve done some really good things on offense. We have to stop turning the ball over. It was loud out there in Minnesota. Probably the loudest place I’ve ever played in. I think that first drive, the fans got them three points. We had a false start that took us out of field goal range. We were right on that cusp. We get three there instead of having to punt, there’s a different game,” Pugh said. “We can’t talk about it like that though. We have to make things happen. We’re a good offense and we have to put that on tape. We have to go out on the field and score points.”

Pugh agreed that the Giants have been their own worst enemy offensively.

“Yes. I think I kind of regret after watching it., I’m like, ‘whoa, what could’ve been.’ That doesn’t change what happened. You can’t keep saying, ‘well, if this would’ve happened, if that would’ve happened.’ It’s not helping us at all saying stuff like that,” he said. “We have to go out there and execute. We have to do it. We have to stop saying we’re going to do it and go out and do it.”