Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here’s a look at some potential bargains for daily fantasy from the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys Week 5 game on Sunday.
The New York Giants (1-3) face the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys (3-1) this Sunday on the road in a potentially high-scoring matchup.
Fantasy football owners and players will have a lot of interest in this one, which will be televised on FOX’s late-afternoon window on Sunday.
Hers’s a quick rundown of the fantasy options in this game.
Analyzing the New York Giants’ thrilling overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon in Week 4.
The 0-3 New York Giants entered this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints desperate for a win. They were up against a formidable defense in the Saints’ 6th-ranked unit and the large, raucous New Orleans crowd, who were witnessing their team live for the first time this season.
Both defenses ruled the early going until the Giants drove 67 yards on 10 plays on their third possession to the Saints’ 16. They sputtered again the red zone and lined up for what appeared to be an easy three points, but kicker Graham Gano hooked the kicked left.
New Orleans came back with a drive of their own, going 35 yards on eight plays to the Giants’ 40. The defense held again on third down. Ex-Giant Aldrick Rosas’ 58-yard attempt sailed wide right to keep the game scoreless with just under nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The Giants took possession on their own 48. On first down, quarterback Daniel Jones fired a perfect pass down the middle of the field to wide receiver John Ross, who was making his Giants’ debut. Ross reeled it in and dove into the end zone with with two Saints defenders all over him. The ball came loose but Ross recovered it in the end zone. The replay upheld the TD catch and the Giants had a surprising 7-0 lead.
New Orleans drove into Giants territory for the fourth time in four possessions late in the second quarter. They drove 90 yards on 13 plays and tied the game at seven on a Jameis Winston-to-Juwan Johnson 15-yard TD connection on a third and six. It was the fourth straight game the Giants’ defense allowed a touchdown in the final two minutes of the first half.
New Orleans received the ball to open the second half and drove 75 yards on three plays to take a 14-7 lead when backup quarterback/everyman Taysom Hill rumbled through a slew of lax Giants defenders for an eight-yard score. The Giants’ defense was a sieve on the drive. James Bradberry was beaten by Marquez Callaway for a 58-yard reception down the middle.
But the Giants’ offense behind Jones was not about to fold up the tent. Jones continued to utilize his new weapons. Completions to rookie Kadarius Toney and expensive free agents Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph got Big Blue down to the Saints’ three yard-line. However, the red zone offense fell apart again with some dubious play calling (a sweep to Evan Engram on second down loss two yards) and shoddy execution. They had to settle for 23-yard field goal from Gano.
The Giants lucked out on the Saints’ next drive when a 46-yard TD strike from Winston to Kenny Stills was nullified by a holding penalty by tight end Adam Trautman. Hill received Winston on the next play and his pass intended for Deonte Harris was intercepted by Bradberry on the Giants’ 12.
The third quarter ended with New Orleans leading, 14-10. In the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Saints drove 63 yards in 11 plays to take a 21-10 lead on Hill’s second touchdown run of the afternoon.
The Giants weren’t done by a long stretch. After they forced a Saints’ punt that C.J. Board returned 15 yards to his own 46. Jones hit running back Saquon Barkley down the left sideline for q 54-yard touchdown on first down. Jones ran in the two-point conversion to narrow the lead to 21-18.
On the Saints’ next possession, the Giants’ defense forced another punt and took possession on their own 11 with 3:01 remaining. The drive stalled on the New Orleans 30 after an 11-play drive. Graham Gano tied the game at 21 with a 48-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining.
In overtime, the Giants won the toss and elected to receive. They didn’t give the Saints a shot a the ball, driving 80 yards on nine plays, winning the game on Barkley’s six-yard TD run with 4:54 left in overtime.
The Giants are now 1-3 and could possibly have been 3-1 or 2-2 on the year, losing their last two games in the final seconds.
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Here are the winners, losers and those in between from the New York Giants’ Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The New York Giants fell to 0-3 on the season with a humiliating, 17-14, loss to the Atlanta Falcons as time expired. It was their second such loss in as many weeks.
Looking at the numbers, it’s almost unbelievable that the Giants found a way to lose the game but that’s what bad teams do. It’s also what the Giants do best these days.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers (and those in between) from the Week 3 loss.
Safety Logan Ryan and wide receiver Sterling Shepard earned the New York Giants’ highest Pro Football Focus grades in Week 1.
The New York Giants fell to the Denver Broncos, 27-13, on Sunday and the game wasn’t even as close as the score might indicate.
From top to bottom, the Giants showed an alarming number of weaknesses and reasons for concern, but there were some positives. Not many, mind you, but some.
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Among them was safety Logan Ryan, the first-time captain who led the team with a 90.4 grade courtesy of Pro Football Focus. That includes a pass rush grade of 81.8 and a coverage grade of 85.9.
Just behind Ryan on the defensive side of the ball were defensive lineman Leonard Williams (77.6), nose tackle Austin Johnson (77.5) and defensive end Dexter Lawrence (74.0).
Other notable defensive grades include linebacker Tae Crowder (65.8), cornerback James Bradberry (58.1), linebacker Blake Martinez (49.9) and safety Xavier McKinney (45.2).
The lowest-graded Giants defender was rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, who checked out with a 39.9.
On the offensive side of the ball, it should come as little surprise that wide receiver Sterling Shepard led the way with a grade of 79.2. If not for an early slip and drop, that number would be higher.
Just behind Shepard (20 snap min.) were wide receiver Kenny Golladay (77.7), left tackle Andrew Thomas (68.2) and center Nick Gates (66.5).
Other notable offensive grades include quarterback Daniel Jones (65.1), right tackle Nate Solder (63.6), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (58.9) and running back Saquon Barkley (53.1).
The lowest-graded Giants on offense was tight end Kyle Rudolph, who was given a grade of 47.5.
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New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley is questionable but likely to play against the Denver Broncos, while TE Evan Engram is out.
The New York Giants will finally, officially see the return of running back Saquon Barkley (knee) on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Nearly a year to the day (Sept. 20, 2020) after suffering a torn ACL versus the Chicago Bears, Barkley will step back onto the field in a live, competitive environment. And a pitch count? That might be off the table, too.
Joe Judge doesn’t sound like he believes in a injury protected pitch count for Saquon. Interesting because that’s been a big suggestion this preseason #giants
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) September 10, 2021
Despite being listed as questionable, expect Saquon to be a full-go after getting through practice without a setback.
Joe Judge was asked what would it take for Saquon not to play on Sunday. He said only if there’s an unforeseen setback.
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) September 10, 2021
Meanwhile, tight end Evan Engram (calf) continued his work on the side, but was still ruled out against the Broncos.
The remainder of the Giants’ injury report, including the status of cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and tight end Kyle Rudolph, can be found below:
Out: TE Evan Engram (calf)
Doubtful: N/A
Questionable: RB Saquon Barkley (knee), CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle)
No designation: WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring), LB Justin Hilliard (foot), DB Josh Jackson (calf), TE Kyle Rudolph (foot), DT Danny Shelton (neck), TE Kaden Smith (knee), OT Andrew Thomas (ankle), WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring).
Several New York Giants trended in the right direction on Thursday, but TE Evan Engram (calf) seems unlikely to play in Week 1.
The New York Giants returned to the field on Thursday afternoon in preparation for a Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos and several injured players continued to trend in the right direction.
Prior to practice, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett announced the news everyone was waiting to hear: running back Saquon Barkley is finally 100 percent.
“[I have] a lot of confidence in him as a player. I think he’s done a great job to get himself back healthy and 100 percent,” Garrett told reporters.
There was also optimism surrounding rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring), who may take on a “significant role” this Sunday.
“Kadarius is earning everyone’s trust. He’s getting out here and he’s working,” special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said.
News was not nearly as positive for tight end Evan Engram (calf), who was again limited to work with trainers on the side. He is likely out against Denver.
The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:
Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (calf)
Limited participant: RB Saquon Barkley (knee), WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring), LB Justin Hilliard (foot), CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle), DB Josh Jackson (calf), TE Kyle Rudolph (foot), DT Danny Shelton (neck), TE Kaden Smith (knee), OT Andrew Thomas (ankle) and WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring).
Full participant: N/A
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (knee) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, but TE Evan Engram (calf) sat out.
The New York Giants took the field for their first (full) regular-season practice of 2021 on Wednesday and all eyes were on running back Saquon Barkley (knee).
As anticipated, Barkley was geared up and took the field with his teammates. He participated during the portion of practice open to the media, as did wide receivers Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Kadarius Toney (hamstring).
“Yeah I’m good. Just working every day to get better,” Toney told reporters when asked if he’s healthy and ready. “I’m here to do my job. Whatever they say.”
Head coach Joe Judge said Toney would likely play a “significant role” on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but he specified production over volume.
Meanwhile, tight end Evan Engram (calf) did not participate in practice and his status for Week 1 remains very much in doubt.
The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:
Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (calf)
Limited participant: RB Saquon Barkley (knee), WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring), LB Justin Hilliard (foot), CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle), DB Josh Jackson (calf), TE Kyle Rudolph (foot), DT Danny Shelton (neck), TE Kaden Smith (knee), OT Andrew Thomas (ankle) and WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring).
Full participant: N/A
New York Giants coach Joe Judge expressed an optimism about his injured players on Monday but stopped short of saying they’d play in Week 1.
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The New York Giants are just a few days away from opening the 2021 regular-season against the Denver Broncos and questions remain about several injured players.
Early reports suggest running back Saquon Barkley (knee) is likely to play, but what about the rest? What about wide receivers Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Kadarius Toney (situations)? What about tight ends Evan Engram (calf) and Kyle Rudolph (foot)? And what about guard Shane Lemieux (leg)?
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Asked about each of those players on Monday, Giants head coach Joe Judge said he felt optimistic about their potential availability.
“I’d say a number of these guys coming back right now, we’re optimistic about all of them, to be honest with you. We’ll see how they do throughout this week in practice,” Judge told reporters. “Saw a lot of guys make a lot of gains last week. There are a lot of guys that are getting reintroduced to the team that missed some time in training camp.
“I’d say it was a productive week in terms of them making progress with the team on the field. Obviously, this week will be a big thing for them. Having today is a big part of that, kind of a bonus day, [Tuesday] being a little bit of a rest day. Gives us a little bit more of a window going into the tail end of the week.”
Despite that optimism, Judge acknowledged that Engram might not be ready for a full practice load just yet. That would also indicate he’s unlikely to play in Week 1.
“We’re going to check with the trainers. He did some stuff this weekend. Sounds like he’s progressing in the right direction,” Judge said. “We’ll see in terms of what his load this week is going to be, we’ll see where he’s going to be as far as practice today. That could be anything from nothing to individuals to see if we can progress past that.”
The added good news for the Giants is that after a weekend away, all players returned to East Rutherford and initially tested negative for COVID-19.
“Yeah, from everything we’ve been told at this point right now, they were [all negative],” Judge said. “We just talked to our team and hit them again in a squad meeting about being safe, just making sure that we take the measures we have to. It’s the same conversation that we started camp with, the same thing. There are protocols in place whether you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated and whatever the protocols are to you, you have to follow them. We’ll support everybody as long as you follow the protocols.
“I would say that our team has done a tremendous job. We haven’t had to have one meeting or anything this training camp in terms of telling guys to space out or put on masks. They’ve all been very in tune, very respectful of each other and each other’s status, so we have to stay on them and remind those guys just to make sure that we make all the right decisions, we don’t put ourselves in a position that could cost somebody some time on the field unnecessarily.”
All three New York Giants coordinators — Jason Garrett, Patrick Graham and Thomas McGaughey — are dealing with roster turnover.
The New York Giants are heading into 2021 regular season with a lot of questions to be answered.
On Thursday, the three coordinators spoke with the team’s beat pool at the Giants’ facility before practice.
The New York Giants will be without RB Saquon Barkley, WR Kenny Golladay and TE Kyle Rudolph against the New England Patriots.
Three of the New York Giants’ key offensive weapons will not play in Sunday’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night.
Head coach Joe Judge told reporters on Friday morning that running back Saquon Barkley (knee), tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring) will all sit out again this week. None of the three played in the team’s first two preseason games.
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Barkley, who missed the final 14 weeks of the 2020 season with a torn ACL, is back practicing in team drills wearing the red “non-contact” jersey. Judge said Barkley will be slowly ‘ramped up’ with hopes of him dressing for the team’s regular season opener in two weeks.
Rudolph underwent surgery on his foot this spring, a condition the Giants claimed they knew about when they signed him to a two-year, $12 million deal this March. He began training camp on the PUP list and just rejoined the team this week.
Golladay, the Giants’ biggest ticket signing in free agency this offseason, has been out with a hamstring issue since the second week of training camp and has not been cleared to practice in team drills. He has been working on the side with trainers the past two weeks.
