Wilson as Offensive Players of the Week (2:11) Jordan Raanan, ESPN editor December 16, 2023, 6 a.m.
Rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito may be the face of the New York Giants’ sudden turnaround his pinched fingers are a symbol of how much fun it was but behind it all is the Giants’ defense.
The Giants have managed 12 takeaways in their last three games, all wins.
Eleven of those turnovers came on defense, including an interception by rookie cornerback Deonte Banks and a forced fumble by edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, which was fumbled by safety Xavier McKinney in Monday night’s 24-22 victory against the Green Bay Packers.
Benton Whitley also recovered a fumble on a punt return.“Effort is a big thing,” coach Brian Daboll said. “Here too, reporting and the front line go hand in hand. Look, we have to try to keep doing this.
The Giants will likely need to continue the turnovers at this rate to stay in the NFC playoff picture. The four remaining opponents are in the playoff race.The Giants (5-8) are one game behind five teams for the final NFC wild card spot.
They will play on the road Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, who are middle of the pack with 17 turnovers this season, although quarterback Derek Carr has thrown seven interceptions this season. That’s notable considering defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s unit is firing on all cylinders.
Nine of the Giants’ 13 interceptions this season have come in the last four games. Nineteen of the 22 takeaways have come in the last nine games.It is not a coincidence.
“I think these are the guys taking advantage of the situation,” Martindale said. “They’re getting better and better players with the football and you can see everyone.
For example, [McKinney] knocked the ball out, we talked about [linebacker] Bobby [Okereke] hitting the ball, now you have [cornerback] Cor. ” Dale] Flott in the Washington game, hitting the ball at just the right time and we do things like that a lot.
“The interceptions were good plays. The guys have studied and communicated a lot better over the last month. It’s been fun to watch.”Giants players assume this will become part of their identity.
It starts with Okereke, who has been responsible for six turnovers (two interceptions and four forced fumbles) this season. Thibodeaux, last year’s first-round pick, also has three forced fumbles to go along with his 11.5 sacks.
Everyone else is forced to follow him.“I think it’s just a competitive mentality that you have or develop,” defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence said.
“As you get more, your confidence starts to grow in that area. I also say I want turnovers, or I want to help create turnovers, whether it’s applying pressure or forcing a fumble.
We know what it takes to win a game and turnovers are what it takes.”It’s no coincidence that Okereke, the team’s big free agent this season, is so adept at taking the ball away from opponents, especially with his ability to punch the ball free.
There is a skill in this. He has spoken in the past about learning that skill from his former Indianapolis teammate, Shaquille Leonard.
Tommy DeVito’s unlikely emergence made headlines during the Giants’ three-game winning streak, but their defense was a driving force with takeaways.
Thibodeaux also likes to attack the ball. “He has that gift,” Martindale said. “For me, he’s a finisher on that ball, whether it’s a sack or the play you saw Monday night.”
The Giants have a plus-6 turnover margin this season. Their 22 takeaways are tied with this week’s opponents, the Saints, for fifth in the NFL.It makes life a lot easier for their offense, even if DeVito exceeds expectations.
During the current streak, 41 of the Giants’ 65 points have come off turnovers. Instead of having to consistently string together long drives, they are often simply asked to score points on short fields.
That might be the only recipe for success when you have the 31st-ranked offense in the league in yards and points.”Oh, it’s huge. It gives the offense a huge advantage, the whole team a huge advantage,” DeVito said. “In attack we need to take advantage of them more, get a few more points from them.
But they did a great job, whether it was getting good field position, holding them to three or nothing, and then giving us good field position… Whatever in itself, all of this is very beneficial for our team.
This team now finds itself in an unorthodox position. The Giants are in the playoffs and are also expected to pick eighth overall in next year’s draft when the season ends today.
A win Sunday at New Orleans would set the stage for a crucial Christmas game in Philadelphia against the Eagles next Monday night.There is still a long way to go for the Giants to make the playoffs.
They are underdogs in New Orleans and likely will be in each of their last four games. ESPN Analytics estimates their chances of reaching the postseason are just 0.4%, despite being just one game behind the Saints, Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.
On the other hand, no one could have predicted this three-game winning streak with DeVito at quarterback while simultaneously creating 12 turnovers.
