Game 2 Review - Giants 16, Saints 13

The Giants outplayed the Saints on Sunday and won, but those two facts were coincidental to each other.
 
The Giants had a missed field goal and 3 drives inside the Saints 10 yard line translating into only 6 points, and added 3 turnovers on fumbles. This could have been a 3 score victory as opposed to a close game that came down to a play or two at the end.
 
The Giant defense was excellent in holding the normally prolific, Drew Brees led Saints offense to 13 points. They were once again tough to run on and Brees and the passing game couldn't get much done. With the luxury of Hall as a 4th Cornerback and Apple playing well, DRC is being saved for third downs and playing about half the game to keep him fresh and not injured.
 
On offense they couldn't run the ball.  While Jennings is a mediocre runner there really weren't many holes to run through. The pass protection was adequate but that's largely a function of a passing game that gets rid of the ball very quickly.  Newhouse reverted to what we knew he was.  In what may be a blessing, he got hurt late and may not play against Washington.
 
The rookie Sterling Shepard had a great game taking advantage of the extra attention paid to Beckham.  Beckham didn't have a great game dropping two TD passes but his presence still helps open things up for Shepard and Cruz.  Cruz had the catch of the game and also showed some explosiveness on a long catch and run where he eventually fumbled.  He did make a mental error when he went out of bounds before the two minute warning but bailed himself out with his clutch 34-yard catch that essentially clinched the game.
 
The good news is that the defense seems to be real and the off season acquisitions are major contributors.  With a weak schedule and 2-0 start they are well on pace to their first playoff appearance in a few years.

​-Ari Glass