Big Blue View
The New York Giants defense is dreadful against the run. After cgiving up 277 yards on the ground in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants allowed the San Francisco 49ers to rush for 159 yards in their 34-24 win at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers had an easy plan — give the football to Brian Robinson and Christian McCaffrey, who totaled 32 carries for 159 yards.
The 49ers used 21 personnel 50% of the time and 22 personnel 15% of the time. Their 12 personnel snaps were 9% and their 11 personnel were just 26%. Heavy personnel forced the Giants into BASE on 69% of snaps and a more loaded box (7+ on 41% of snaps). It was the 49ers who won this heavyweight matchup.
While the Giants had a few impact run plays by Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and one impressive one by Dru Phillips, who played just 19 snaps in the Giants’ nickel personnel package. Why he wasn’t used outside, given the Giants’ current secondary issues, is beyond me, but I digress.
Flashes from leaders like Burns and Thibodeaux aside, the Giants’ run defense remains tentative — a unit where simply doing the bare minimum of an assignment seems to draw praise. Being in position is one thing; being in position and then punishing the offense by shedding a block and making a tackle is another. Some seem content with the former, which is indicative of a much broader problem with the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll regime.
New York’s defense ranks 28th overall, allowing 27.7 points per game, with an alarming 35 points on average over the last three contests. They sit 31st in run defense, giving up 150 rushing yards per game; only Cincinnati has been worse at 166.4. The Giants also allow a league-high 5.5 yards per carry, rank third-to-last in rush EPA, and are tied for the most rushing touchdowns surrendered (12 RUTD, alongside the Titans, Bengals, Raiders, and Bills).
The frustration stems from a combination of poor player execution and a defensive scheme that is unimaginative. Frankly, the players don’t seem to be eager to make plays; some find themselves with their pants around their ankles at the point of contact. Giant fans deserve better than the product this team continues to trot out there every Sunday.
The drive we’re about to dissect started with 1:33 left in the third quarter after the Giants’ offense stalled and punted. The score was 20-10, 49ers, and Mac Jones opened the drive with a 13-yard play-action pass to Kendrick Bourne (84); this would be the last throw on the nine-play, 76-yard drive:
first-and-10 at SF 24
Mac Jones (10) goes into the mesh-point with Christian McCaffrey as the offensive line takes their zone-steps to the boundary. The Giants’ second-level defenders had a tough day attempting to handle the 49ers’ play-action passing attack. Bowen and his defense in a Cover-3, with Tae Banks (2) high and outside of Bourne. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (33) and Dane Belton (24)...
