Brian Baldinger breaks down Dane Belton's tape vs. Rams
NFL reserves are taught to always remain ready, as you never know when you might get your opportunity.
Well, second-year safety Dane Belton exemplified that to a T on Sunday.
When starting safety Jason Pinnock went down, Belton stepped up and put together one of the more dominant outings we've seen from a Giants defender in a while, and on only 74 percent of the defensive snaps. Belton played a significant part in the team slowing down Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who entered this matchup as the hottest quarterback in the NFL.
Stafford had a 14-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his five games prior to Week 17. But Belton picked him off twice, while also adding a fumble recovery, to become the first Giant since Stevie Brown in 2012 to finish a game with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger praised Belton for his strong performance while breaking down the young safety's tape.
"Dane Belton was a defensive star for the Giants," Baldinger said in his video breakdown. "The backup who stepped up, who was all over the field all day."
The 23-year-old did not allow a single reception on 26 coverage snaps as he helped contain Stafford to an 85.0 passer rating, his lowest since Week 11.
Not only that, but Belton also showed tremendous effort when he chased down Puka Nacua on the rookie receiver's 80-yard reception. While Brian Daboll praised Belton for the takeaways, it was the safety's hustle on this pass play that the head coach was most excited about.
"I know he had the turnovers, but the one play that I was really impressed with is the play that they broke out for the long gain on the hitch route and his chase, to run down there and to finish, he showed some good long speed," Daboll told reporters Monday. "Again, running to the ball when you think a guy might score, I just thought the effort he had on that play was indicative of what the young man is about."
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