Baldy Breakdown: Giants’ Xavier McKinney is ballin’

Brian Baldinger breaks down the New York Giants’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 and singles out safety Xavier McKinney.

The New York Giants upset the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-7, on Sunday afternoon thanks in large part to a stellar performance by their secondary.

Although Big Blue struggled against the run, their cornerbacks and safeties played at the top of their game. In total, they forced four turnovers including three interceptions off the arm of Jalen Hurts.

Second-year safety Xavier McKinney was among those to haul in a pick in Week 12. And he very nearly added a second with just seconds remaining in the game.

During his breakdown of the contest, retired offensive lineman and current NFL analyst, Brian Baldinger, singled McKinney out.

“Xavier McKinney played one of his best games ever. Led the team in tackles, defensed some passes and got an interception,” Baldinger said. “I mean the guy is ballin’ right now.”

It wasn’t just McKinney who was ballin’, however. Baldy points out solid play by cornerbacks Darnay Holmes and Steven Parker, linebacker Tae Crowder and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.

Oh, and how about rookie cornerback Aaron Robinson? Despite some hiccups throughout the game, he played well down the stretch.

Although Robinson gets credit for the pass defensed against Jalen Reagor late in the fourth quarter, the reality is that it was simply a dropped pass. Robinson did have tight coverage, got his head around and made contact as the ball dropped into Reagor’s hands, but it’s a drop pure and simple.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

The Giants’ defensive line was neither.

The Giants secondary played exceptionally well all things considered, but if they wish to beat the Eagles again later this season, the run defense absolutely must improve.

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