Grading the Giants’ 45-33 win over the Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday:
Offense
Where the hell has this been all season?
The numbers across the board were remarkable.
There were 446 total yards, 25 first downs, 7 of 13 on third down conversions and a time of possession of 33:23.
Drew Lock?
Whoa.
He completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns.
He also ran for a TD.
His passer rating was 155.3.
Hey now, there was the run-and-catch capability that has been missing.
Malik Nabers (7-171, 2 TDs) took a quick hitch and raced 32 yards for a touchdown and Darius Slayton kept his balance on a 32-yard scoring play.
Wan’Dale Robinson (5-71, 1 TD) kept things moving.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (20-59) did not do much other than a 40-yard burst. Lock was not sacked.
TE Daniel Bellinger midway through the second quarter was hit with a 15-yard chop block penalty.
RG Jake Kubas jumped for a false start from the Indy 1-yard line and Evan Neal was called for an illegal man downfield penalty.
No turnovers was a huge plus.
Grade: A.
Defense
Now this is a departure from the norm.
This unit certainly was not great but got bailed out and eventually was able to make a few plays.
Jonathan Taylor (32-125, 2 TDs) did his damage but averaged only 3.9 yards per attempt.
The 39-year-old Joe Flacco (26 of 38, 330 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) might be able to chuck it when he’s 50.
Michael Pittman (9-109, 1 TD) and Alec Pierce (6-122, 1 TD) were constant problems.
CB Deonte Banks does not trust his technique in key situations.
He was isolated down the field with Pierce and was flagged for a 44-yard pass interference penalty.
Banks later had another pass interference for 19 yards.
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S Dane Belton showed off his hands with a diving interception in the first quarter.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches sacked Flacco to force the Colts to settle for a first-quarter field goal.
Brian Burns had two tackles for loss on Taylor late in the first half. DT Elijah Chatman had a fourth-and-1 stop of Taylor for no gain.
Rookie Dru Phillips came up with the game-sealing interception. Kayvon Thibodeaux had a late strip-sack.
Grade: C.
Special Teams
Ihmir Smith-Marsette has quietly been a solid addition as a returner and he made noise by taking the second-half kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown.
He was untouched.
Jamie Gillan’s first punt traveled 48 yards with no return and he averaged 48.7 yards on his three punts.
Graham Gano hit a 30-yard field goal and all five extra-point attempts.
Grade: A.
Coaching
Man oh man, did Brian Daboll need this.
He has kept the team together, but all the losing has taken a toll on everyone.
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Daboll said he was rough all week on Lock and that proved to be the tough love that was needed.
Daboll smartly tried to lean on the running game early and limit Lock’s exposure in the passing game.
Lock did his damage with only 23 passes, compared with 30 running plays.
Daboll going for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 42-yard line late in the third quarter felt too extreme.
Shane Bowen’s defense failed to put much heat on Flacco.
Grade: B+.
