NY Giants Report Card: Break Out the Dunce Caps After 34-24 Loss to 49ers
After a loss, you hear the players and the coaches say it all the time: We have to execute better.
Sorry, but we’re no longer buying that, at least not after the
The Giants' problems go way beyond execution or lack thereof. From schemes, to questionable decisions, to bad bounces–and let’s not forget young talent that is not developing in some areas–and you have a complete organization failure from top to bottom.
Were there plays missed by the players? Yes.
But is this latest loss or the fact that this team is 2-7 and once again in the race for a top-5 draft pick for the eighth time since they last won a Super Bowl in 2011, a complete organizational failure from top to bottom that’s only going to get worse unless some serious changes are made.
You better believe it.
Offense: C
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The Giants were good on third downs and in the red zone, and there were zero turnovers to speak of, which is the good news. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart finished as the team leader in rushing yardage (56 on eight carries, one touchdown) and was 24-of-33 for 191 yards and two touchdowns.
But–and we’re reluctant to point this out–most of those pass attempts were of the stick route concepts that reminded one of the Jason Garrett-Daniel Jones days.
That’s not Dart’s fault, but at the end of the day, there were points left on the field.
Defense: F
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Need to get your offense right? Go up against the Giants' defense, who these days seem to be the best cure for struggling units. For the third straight week (and fourth time this season), the unit allowed 30+ points.
We’ll get to the coaching decisions in a moment, but there were some players who, as the game wore on, looked less and less interested.
Deonte Banks, for instance, on the 18-yard Brian Robinson touchdown run, just ran alongside the ball carrier rather than attempting to make a tackle.
And speaking of the run, throw another 159 yards on top of the pile for a unit ranked 30th overall and 32nd in yards per rushing attempt against (5.73).
Awful.
Special Teams: D
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Jamie Gillan delivered a faulty kickoff to start the second half, and the 49ers converted that short field into a 33-yard field goal.
And speaking of field goals, Graham Gano missed a 45-yard attempt wide left, albeit due to the snap being a bit off. But still, he’s got to make those attempts.
As for the coverage units, the 49ers averaged 30.7 yards on kickoff returns, fueled by a 41-yard return by Brian Robinson.
Punt coverage wasn’t that much better, as the 49ers finished with an 11.3 average.
On the flip side, the Giants had zero punt return yards (Gunner Olszewski had one fair catch, and another punt was downed), and the kickoff returns, featuring Jalin Hyatt for his first-ever NFL special teams snaps, averaged 27.3 yards, as the 49ers beat the Giants in the field position battle.
Coaching: F
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Once again, head coach Brian Daboll’s team looked overmatched, save for very few exceptions. There was the decision to kick the field goal in the third quarter, despite being on the 49ers' 3-yard line, which Daboll went for, rather than put his faith in his offense to hit paydirt from three yards out.
And while we appreciate Jaxson Dart’s competitiveness, at some point Daboll has to save the kid from himself by not letting him take crushing blows in garbage time.
Now for the offensive game plan? We had flashbacks to the Daniel Jones days, when the Giants turned him into a game manager and had him run a lot of stick route concepts, failing to take many deep shots, even when they were there for the taking.
But the biggest problem was Shane Bowen, who simply shouldn’t be allowed back in the building on Monday morning.
For the third week in a row, his unit allowed 30+ points. The pass rush lacks creativity — did anyone spot many stunts or exotic blitzes designed to test the 49ers? Wouldn’t it behoove them with that pass rush to at least try it?
Lastly, they had no answers for the run defense again. Some may point to the injuries, but if the coaches want us to believe in “next man up,” they have to be better.
Marshon Lattimore injury blow sums up Commanders' train wreck season
Marshon Lattimore was not enjoying the most profitable evening at the office against the Seattle Seahawks, and he wasn't alone. But even when the Washington Commanders' cornerback made his one good play on the night, it came with a heavy price attached.
And it could be yet another body blow to a roster decimated by injuries through the first half of the 2025 campaign.
Lattimore was finding life difficult. He gave up a couple of lofty completions and was also called for his customary defensive pass interference penalty in the first half. The former Ohio State standout broke up one pass, but he was seen hobbling to the sidelines immediately after.
Marshon Lattimore is the latest Commanders injury problem to worry about
After some checks on the sideline, Lattimore was ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a knee injury. He cut a dejected figure on the sidelines, getting embraced by his teammates and walking back to the locker room with a towel over his head.
More information will be coming, but this doesn't exactly paint the most promising picture.
Lattimore's bombshell arrival via trade from the New Orleans Saints before the 2024 deadline has been an unmitigated disaster. He was hurt most of last season with a hamstring problem. The shutdown presence Washington thought it was buying hasn't shown up. And if he's forced to miss an extended period, one has to ask whether the Ohio State product will be part of the team's plans next season.
Releasing or trading Lattimore saves $18 million on Washington's salary cap. Adam Peters, who gave up considerable assets to secure the player's services, might decide to cut this experiment short and spend the money elsewhere. There is just no telling for sure right now, but it's becoming more likely than ever.
The Commanders will be hoping for good news on Lattimore's health. But looking at how things have unfolded with Quinn's squad thus far, fans should expect the worst and hope for the best.
