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The New York Giants lost to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, 17-13, to fall to 0-2 on the season. Several players stood out according to the website Pro Football Focus.
Cornerback James Bradberry was the biggest standout on the day for Big Blue:
The highest graded player for the Giants in W2 was James Bradberry. Bradberry recorded an INT, 3 PBU’s and 1 catch on 6 targets. His 93.1 coverage grade is a career best since he entered the NFL in 2016.
Another player cited was right guard Kevin Zeitler.
Kevin Zeitler bounced back to the play PFF is used to seeing from him. He allowed only 2 pressures on 50 pass-blocking snaps with a 77.6 pass-block grade. Zeitler is the highest graded offensive player in W2 for the Giants.
The Giants’ offensive line is still having issues overall, however. After two weeks, they are dead last in the NFL is rushing (52.0 yards per game).
In addition, they’ve allowed the second most QB pressures in the league thus far.
Most pressures allowed through W2:
1. Texans – 57
2. Giants – 56
3. Bengals – 52
4. Broncos – 46
5. Chiefs – 42 pic.twitter.com/r8exlMxqSe— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2020
Rookie left tackle Andrew Thomas was beaten several times in pass protection and didn’t have the best of games in the run-blocking department. The Giants’ offensive line has been a concern through two weeks, and while Thomas hasn’t stood out as the weakest link, he’s also not a definitive strength two games into his NFL career.
I agree. Another flaw is Thomas’ inability to consistently read which player will rush from the edge. Several times this season already Thomas blocked the inside player, leaving the outside rusher a clear path to the quarterback.
Darnay Holmes saw 25 defensive snaps with only two outside at cornerback. He got beat a few times, but Holmes did stick close with Anthony Miller on an out route on third down — a pass that fell incomplete. Like with much of the Giants’ secondary, things will be a work in progress this season for the fourth-round rookie out of UCLA.
Holmes is still picking up the Giants’ defensive scheme, but who isn’t? They are all new to it and to each other. Jabrill Peppers and Corey Ballentine were both here last year but played in a completely different defense under James Bettcher. Logan Ryan played in New England where Joe Judge and Patrick Graham once coached but neither ever coached the defensive backs. Bradberry right now is the only player who looks completely comfortable so far.
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