ARLINGTON, Texas — Yeah, sometimes there is only so much you can do.
That seemed to be what Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was alluding to recently when he was asked in advance of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys if there was any increasing urgency to not only stop the opponent but also to actually score or set up points on defense.
“I think if there is a study of that, of when defenses score, it’s usually in a high-scoring game a lot of times when that happens,” Martindale said.
Makes sense.
When the points are piling up, there is often more risk-taking on offense and thus more opportunity to take the ball away.
The Giants are averaging an NFL-low 11.2 points a game and, other than the Week 2 victory (31-28) in Arizona, do not engage in high-scoring games because they cannot hold up their end on offense.
The best way to play defense is from ahead, allowing the pass rushers to do their thing and create chaos.
The Giants almost never play from ahead.
Their defense has just four interceptions, tied with five other teams for 26th in the league, and just four fumble recoveries, tied with six other teams for 20th in the league.
“I said it before here, I love this group that we have,” Martindale said. “We’ve played really good defense for the last month prior to Vegas, and I expect us to continue to just keep getting better. And fix the things, it’s more technique stuff in this last game in the first half that got us, but I expect us to keep getting better.”
One play cannot ruin an entire season, but what went down midway through the first quarter the last time these teams met sure dug a hole that the Giants have been unable to escape.
Graham Gano lined up for a 45-yard field goal attempt to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.
The kick was blocked and returned 58 yards by Noah Igbinoghene for a Cowboys touchdown.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas gave chase, strained a hamstring and missed the next seven games.
“Obviously, it was the first [special teams] play of the game, first score of the game, and you don’t have to remind them of that,” special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said. “It’s one of those deals. It’s a play that happened. You’ve got to learn from it and move on from it and be better because of it.”
After missing three games with a high ankle sprain, Saquon Barkley has been a busy running back — carrying the ball 24, 21, 36 and 16 times the past four games.
With undrafted Tommy DeVito making his first NFL start at quarterback, figure the plan of attack will be a healthy dose of Barkley.
“I don’t go into any game with any expectations of how many times I’m going to touch the ball,” Barkley said.
“Just want to be in position to win football games, go out there and compete, and whatever that takes, I’m willing to do.”
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