Game Overview ::
By papy324 >>
- The Giants’ offense has found new life with Tommy DeVito. They’ve improved from an average of 11.2 points per game to 20.5 points per game in DeVito’s starts.
- The 6-7 Saints are in a three-way tie for first place in the listless NFC South. This game has a lot of real-life importance for them.
- Derek Carr is off the injury report for the first time since Week 10.
- Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley are the engines that drive their respective offenses, and both defenses are weaker against the run than against the pass.
- The Giants’ passing game is cheap, but it draws a tough matchup against a Saints defense that has forced opponents to the ground.
How NEW YORK Will Try To Win ::
The 5-8 Giants come into Week 15 riding a three-game win streak. It seemed almost impossible that the Giants could win three straight a month ago. They were sporting the lowest total points and worst point differential in the league (dubious distinctions which now belong to the Patriots/Panthers). Enter Tommy “funny like a clown” DeVito. After getting stomped by Dallas (who look like the best team in the league) DeVito breathed new life into the left-for-dead Giants offense. The Giants have averaged a pathetic 11.2 points per game in games DeVito hasn’t started compared to 20.5 points per game with him under center. Those games have come against Dallas // Wash / /NE // GB. That’s not a list of cupcake defenses, and while DeVito is a raw passer, he has been efficient (66% completion percentage) and a threat (4.6 40-yard dash) with his legs. The Giants have sped up under DeVito (sixth in situational neutral pace since he took over), but still rank below average (22nd in pace) for the year. His success has been even more impressive when factoring in how poor (30th ranked per PFF) the Giants’ offensive line has been this year. DeVito might not end up being a great, or even good, NFL starter, but he has given the Giants’ offense the spark it has been missing all season.
Brain Daboll might not be as sharp as he was given credit for after coaching Josh Allen, but he is generally an above-average offensive mind who is willing to attack his opposition’s weaknesses. The Saints have been tough against the pass (ninth in DVOA) and beat up on the ground (24th in DVOA). Teams have preferred to run against the Saints, and the Giants are adaptable but prefer to run (22nd in Pass Rate Over Expectation), which raises the chances that they use a run-heavy game plan. Daboll has limited DeVito’s attempts to 27 // 26 // 25 // 21, which has helped lead to a 3-1 record. Daboll wants to let DeVito do just enough to win and doesn’t want to risk him turning into a pumpkin. In fairness, DeVito has been ok (16th in PFF passing grade), and the Giants’ offense has been notably more explosive (fifth in explosive play rate) since he took over as the starter. DeVito has injected life into the offense, but it’s small sample size, and Daboll is savvy enough to know that trying to win on the ground is a smart plan against the Saints. Expect a run-heavy game plan, which should also include using DeVito as a runner.
You must be logged in to view collective notes about a game.
You must be logged in to add notes about a game.