Wanting to win and needing to win intersected for the Giants in Week 4. The want was there the first three games of this season, and need bubbled to the surface in such an intense way that the 27-21 overtime victory over the Saints triggered more relief than anything else.
“It meant a lot for us because we knew if we lost we were going to be 0-4,’’ cornerback James Bradberry said Monday. “0-3 was terrible, 0-4 would’ve been worse. It was definitely a momentum booster for us, a morale booster for us. I feel like it gives us a little bit of momentum.’’
Every team pumps in music at practice the week leading into a game in an ear-splitting dome. Coach Joe Judge went one step further last week, filling meeting rooms with loud music.
“I just wanted the guys, every time they turned a corner, to be reminded it’s gonna be an environment where we have to focus to get the job done,” Judge said.
The noise worked. The Giants were not called for any pre-snap penalties on offense.
Judge said he initially thought safety Jabrill Peppers would be able to return to the game after he tweaked his hamstring in the second quarter, but decided not to push it. Peppers’ health will be determined later in the week. Kick returner and receiver C.J. Board is dealing with a clavicle injury.
Four defensive players were on the field for all 68 snaps: Safeties Logan Ryan and Xavier McKinney, Bradberry and inside linebacker Tae Crowder. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson would have played all 68 but he settled for 66, as he needed to come off briefly to check out his knee.
The offensive line rotation is no more. All five starters played all 63 snaps. Nate Solder at right tackle did a commendable job on dangerous Cameron Jordan, who had no sacks and only one quarterback hit. On the other side, Tanoh Kpassagnon did even less (no sacks, no quarterback hits) against Andrew Thomas, who had his way at left tackle.
Matt Skura made his Giants’ debut as the fourth starting left guard in four games. This was a new deal for the 28-year-old. Of his previous 51 NFL starts with the Ravens, 37 came at center, 12 at right guard and three as an extra tight end. In his first-ever NFL appearance at left guard, Skura did the job as a pass protector and was flagged for one penalty, a holding call late in the second quarter. It was the only penalty on the offensive line.
This was the first time in nine years the Giants won a game when they trailed by 11 or more points in the fourth quarter. The last time they did it was Sept. 16, 2012 when they beat the Buccaneers 41-34 after trailing 27-16. The Giants did not win any games in 2020 when trailing in the fourth quarter.