Big Blue View
The New York Giants sustained their fifth consecutive loss in Mike Kafka’s head coaching debut. New York fell 27-20 to the Green Bay Packers, despite possessing the football for 10 more minutes and out-gaining the Packers by forty yards. The Giants, in part, were able to possess the football due to a dedication to the rushing attack and the overall effectiveness of the ground game.
Sure, 3.7 yards per carry is nothing to write home about. New York picked up 142 yards on 38 total rushing attempts with three rushing touchdowns (two by Devin Singletary and one by Jameis Winston). According to Doug Analytics on X, the Giants had a +0.075 EPA/Rush against the Packers; Since 2000, teams with 38+ rushes and with at least a +0.075 EPA/Rush are 322-14 (95.8%) — the Giants were one of the 4.2% on Sunday.
NFL NextGen Stats had both Tyrone Tracy Jr and Devin Singletary with an average of 2.4 yards before contact on inside runs, with only one attempt surrendering a defensive hit behind the line of scrimmage. Doug Analytics points out that the Giants averaged 0.7 yards before contact on inside runs with a 48% hit behind the line of scrimmage rate on the season — that’s a massive difference!
The Green Bay defense allowed just 96 rushing yards per game (seventh in the NFL) and held Saquon Barkley to just 2.7 yards per carry in Week 10. But Tracy averaged 4.6 yards per carry, and Singletary found pay dirt twice. The former averaged 3.21 yards after contact, and the latter just 2.06. It’s important to note, though, that Singletary has taken every snap inside the 10-yard line over the last three weeks.
Mike Kafka continued to employ a multifaceted rushing approach, utilizing a combination of counter, power, F-Lead, DUO, and zone rushing plays, while also adjusting the formations. The Giants’ offensive line operated well as a unit and allowed the Giants’ backs to find the necessary creases to prevent negative plays and move the chains. It wasn’t the most efficient rushing game in the world, but it was effectiv,e and it allowed the Giants to stay multidimensional offensively.
Green Bay primarily used a 3-3-5 nickel package, but did go to a 3-4 BASE on 29% of snaps. Jeff Hafley mostly had a six-man box and had quick rotation with the strong-side safety into the box against run looks. This allowed the Giants to block their double-teams and climb up to the second level. Carmen Bricillo’s unit blocked well up front agianst the lighter approach.
Here are five rushing plays; we’ll start with Devin Singletary’s first touchdown run to conclude the Giants’ opening drive:
Green Bay aligned in an OVER front with Singletary (26) aligned toward the strength in shotgun. Singletary’s aiming point seems to initially be the outside leg of John Michael Schmitz (61), who, in tandem with Greg Van Roten (74), is double-teaming the one technique. Green Bay constricted the interior rushing lanes with the...
