The disappointing and sometimes unflattering New York Giants defense needs to make a once in for all stand against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Including their 38-13 Wild Card playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers last season, the New York Giants have allowed 24 points or more in just five games. This season, they’ve already allowed teams to score 24 points or more in seven of their nine games played.
Last season they were 10th in total defense, and this season they’re 29th.
In the last two weeks they’ve given up 82 points and last week against the 49ers, they made rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard look like Joe Montana, as he completed 19 out of 25 passes for 288 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown.
The defense barely touched Beathard all game, as for the defense failed to record a sack for the second game in a row. Not only that, but the pass rush has been non-existent all season as they only have 13 sacks for the season which is tied for last in the NFL.
Sure, the defense has had its share of injuries to defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Kerry Wynn, but it’s inexcusable for Jason Pierre-Paul and the rest of this impressive defense to only have 13 sacks.
The Giants have a long and storied history of being always able to rush the quarterback. So for them to be tied for last in sacks seems unfathomable.
With the exception of losing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins to the Colts in free agency, the defense is comprised of the same core as last year. So the difference between this year’s defense and last year’s defense is the overall effort and execution.
On Thursday, cornerback Janoris Jenkins said his poor play wasn’t due to a lack of effort but instead a lack of technique and not staying focused. Whatever is the true cause of Jenkins’ poor play, he and the rest of the defense must play better and play with heart or they’ll be embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt, who is second in the NFL in rushing with 800 yards, must be salivating knowing he’s going up against the Giants 30th ranked run defense.
Tyreek Hill, who already has touchdown receptions of 75, 64, 56 and 30 yards this season, must have been dreaming all week about facing a Giants secondary that’s given up touchdown receptions of 83, 67, 52, and 47 yards over the last two weeks.
By all accounts, the Chiefs offense going up against the Giants defense is a complete mismatch. The Chiefs are averaging 28.1 points per game, which is fifth best in the league. The Giants defense is giving up 26.4 points per game, which ranks 28th in the NFL this season.
Everyone is expecting the Chiefs to march up the field on the Giants from their opening possession and take the crowd right out of the game. This is why the Giants defense must make a stand and give their best performance of the season.
Despite the 1-8 record and a defense ranked near the bottom in every possible category, they have too much talent to be this bad and they know that. It’s too late for the Giants to salvage this season but it’s not too late to show pride and give their fans something to cheer for.
One thing the defense can do to show that they’re playing with some pride on Sunday is to prevent an opposing tight end from scoring in an NFL-record 11 straight games.
The Chiefs have maybe the best tight end in football in Travis Kelce, who leads the team with 51 receptions and has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games. The Chiefs will feature Kelce often on Sunday, especially in the red zone.
The best thing this timid defense can do to show that they’re playing with some heart is to slow down Hunt and the Chiefs’ running game. Over the last two weeks the Giants run defense has been abysmal, giving up an average of 174 yards.
That could be a tough task since Damon Harrison is questionable with an ankle injury. But whether or not Harrison plays, the defense has to be motivated to stop the run or the Chiefs will run all over them, leading to what could be the biggest loss of their season.
Its gut check time for the defense. It’s one thing to lose games, but showing lack of effort is inexcusable, especially for a franchise that was built on defense.
NYPD no more. The New York Giants have some improvements to make and it all starts with this week’s challenge against the Chiefs.
