By Jeff Moeller, The New York Extra/thenyextra.com
The Giants won a game Sunday.
It’s not the fact that they got their second win of the season in a 23-20 victory over the Washington Football Team, but it was in the manner they did it.
They played as complete as possible on both sides of the ball, even though they needed to hold on through their defense after they surrendered a 23-10 advantage.
This time, though, they finished. Sure, there were rampant thoughts about them blowing another potential win in the final moments.
And that was huge for them. It’s time for them to take the next step.
Get ready for an interesting and productive second half. They have the coach, the quarterback, and the defense.
This was the game that should take them to the next level. The Giants now know they can close out games.
Daniel Jones managed the game the Giants thought he could. He made enough big plays and didn’t turn the ball over.
If he truly has settled into his groove, Jones can utilize his running ability as an asset, not using it as a stop gap under pressure.
We’ll see if Jones truly has put his past behind him when the Giants host Philadelphia at MetLife Sunday.
Top pick Andrew Thomas has yet to find his footing, but his line mates have looked better every week. Nick Gates continues to look increasingly comfortable at center, and head coach Joe Judge has stated he will rotate three players at the guard and tackles positions.
Then there’s the defense. They are resembling more and more the Giants’ units under Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells in the late 1980’s and early 90’s with an unsung front, standout linebackers and an aggressive secondary.
Jabrill Peppers has stepped up at safety and James Bradberry has maintained his steady status.
Logan Ryan and Leonard Williams are proved to be invaluable pickups, and both can be game changers down the stretch.
Kicker Graham Gano arguably is the team’s Most Valuable Player at this moment. He can hit the pressure kick.
There are others who have begun to shift the landscape.
Yet, this is a team that has won two games. This is a team that still is in the running for the top pick in the 2021 draft.
We do have to stop and have a reality check.
The phrase here is hope and optimism with the focus on the latter.
It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen soon..likely sooner than you think.
It continues with the Eagles Sunday.