Should Giants Fans Be Concerned Or Encouraged By Sundays's Win?
The New York Giants beat the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but it was far from a perfect victory.
When the Giants players strutted off into the halftime break 20-0 down, it looked all but certain that they would succumb to a 2-0 start.
In the end, they won 31-28 in a game of two halves, but should the fans be happy with the win? Or worried for the rest of the season?
Scraping Past A Tanking Team
Let’s face it, the Cardinals are tanking. To only beat them by three points is nothing to write home about.
Their quarterback Daniel Jones, who earned a $40 million deal this offseason, looked a shell of himself in the first half. Being at the stadium, the loud atmosphere at State Farm Stadium appeared to be getting to him.
The Giants were struggling in every aspect. They had less than 100 total yards on offense and had a measly five first downs.
Something then happened. No one will know, except those who were present in the locker room, what exactly head coach Brian Daboll said to his players at halftime but something seemed to click.
Quarterback Daniel Jones ended the game with 321 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and running back Saquon Barkley finished with 63 yards and one touchdown, although the latter suffered an injury that ended his day. An MRI scan revealed an ankle sprain. Whilst the injury appears to not be serious, it may take Barkley a few weeks to get back to his best. This will no doubt have an impact on the Giants’ record, a setback for a player who has been done so well to get back from an injury hit 2020 and 2021.
After losing 40-0 to the Dallas Cowboys in Week One, the Giants were looking to get back to winning ways in Week Two. Whilst they got the win, you have to be concerned about the fact that they barely beat a team that everyone expects to have the worst record in 2023.
Showing Character
On the other hand, you have to give the Giants some form of praise for their character to come back in this game.
Whilst most teams would have put the Giants away after leading 20-0 at halftime, it is the time of year where it does not matter how you play. As long as you get across the line in your first few weeks, it should not matter whether you win by two points or 20.
After all, most teams who win Super Bowls do not start the brightest. The New England Patriots often went 3-4 or 5-4 in years they lifted the Lombardi Trophy. You do not win Super Bowls in Week Two.
It may not have been pretty, but the Giants will view this game as a get in and get out type of game. Their character shown to comeback may be a turning point in their season, one they look back on if they make the playoffs.