Giants continue to struggle on defense in loss to 49ers
Goforitradio Staff
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For the third week in a row, the New York Giants’ defense allowed a team to score over 30 points, and for the third straight week, the Giants (2-7) lost, falling to the 49ers (6-3) 34-24 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
New York has allowed an average of 35 points in its last three games, and, as it did last week against the Eagles, New York struggled to stop the run. Last week, Philadelphia ran for 276 yards, and this week, the 49ers rushed for 159 yards, including 106 yards rushing from Christian McCaffrey.
Giants coach Brian Daboll knows the team needs to improve its defense and stop the run more effectively.
“Yeah, and look, they ran it,” Daboll said. “I wouldn’t say they had a ton of explosives, but they ran it, and they were pretty productive running the football. Longest one was that last one, I think 18 yards, whatever. But you know, four or five, six, average 4.1, 40 carries. We’ve got to do a better job in that area. I don’t think it’s a secret. Team game. Team game. But certainly got to do better.”
Daboll was asked if the defensive play-caller, who is defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, needs to change.
“Look, none of us did a good enough job,” Daboll said. “That starts with me. We’ll continue to work at it.”
Giants Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence, who was criticized by Giants legend Carl Banks for his plays this season, says everybody on defense has to look at themselves.
“I think everyone as an individual has to look at themselves and see if they’re executing,” Lawrence said. “If they’re in the right spots, if they’re doing the right thing, if they’re studying longer, if they’re making the plays that come to them. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Lawrence doesn’t believe the team’s struggles on defense are from a lack of effort.
“I don’t think there was any lack of effort,” he said. “I think everybody played hard. We just didn’t make the plays.”
While the Giants are starting to resemble the team we saw a year ago, there’s still hope. The season may have slipped away, but going forward, the defense, which many believed would be significantly better this season, has the potential to turn things around in the remaining eight games. We’ll see if that happens.
