Their only touchdown was scored by an offensive tackle. They posted season lows in points, yards, first downs and time of possession. Their longest play of the night was 28 yards and none of the other 53 plays gained more than 16.
The Giants have numerous takeaways from their 30-10 loss Monday night to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but none as glaring as their need for an offensive boost.
"We have got to do a better job scoring points," coach Joe Judge said after his team fell to 3-7 on the season. "I know that sounds pretty obvious and to the point with it, but I'm going to keep it very blunt on that right there. We have to do a better job of putting our players in a position to make plays. We have too many good players and we have to put them in a better position to capitalize, that's it. We have to make sure we sit down tomorrow as a coaching staff and understand how we have to play this game and give our players a chance to make plays."
They made too few of them against the defending Super Bowl champions, who improved to 7-3.
The unsightly numbers included 215 yards (66 rushing), 15 first downs, ball possession for only 24:21 and, of course, those 10 points. The Giants converted just one of nine third-down opportunities. They took exactly five offensive snaps in the red zone – three on their first possession, which ended with Graham Gano's 37-yard field goal, and two after Adoree' Jackson intercepted Tom Brady and returned the ball to the five-yard line in the second quarter. That led to a two-yard touchdown reception by tackle Andrew Thomas. No, that is not a misprint.
The Giants advanced into Tampa Bay territory just once in their final seven possessions and not at all in the second half.
"I expect us to produce at a higher level, let's keep it at that," Judge said. "My expectations are pretty high and I'm not compromising for anybody."
"We certainly didn't execute, didn't do what we were planning to do going into the game," quarterback Daniel Jones said. "There wasn't much that was good enough. We've got to look at it, and we'll see it on the film. We'll see exactly what we've got to do better. But, certainly a lot to look at and a lot to improve on."
And a short week in which to do it; the Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday.
Jones completed 23 of 38 passes for 167 yards, a mere 4.4 yards per attempt. He threw two interceptions. The first went directly to defensive lineman Steve McLendon with no Giants in the area, the second was tipped by linebacker Devin White and grabbed by safety Mike Edwards.
"Just a bad decision, trying to get the ball out of my hands," Jones said of the first pick. "Got to be smarter in that situation."
View all the action from Monday Night Football between the Giants and Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) rolls out against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) eludes a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to handoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants center Billy Price (69) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) after a run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants wide receiver Collin Johnson (15) runs a route against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants center Billy Price (69) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and cornerback James Bradberry (24) take down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is stopped by New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (20) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants Andrew Thomas (78) celebrates his score against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants' Andrew Thomas makes the catch on a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daniel Jones during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants nose tackle Austin Johnson (98) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (49) stops Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) turns the corner on Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) takes down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is stopped by New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs a route against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) makes a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) and free safety Jordan Whitehead (33) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) catches a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
DL Dexter Lawrence
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Evan Engram, RB Saquon Barkley
DL Austin Johnson
WR Darius Slayton
DL Dexter Lawrence
QB Daniel Jones
DL Leonard Williams
RB Saquon Barkley
DL Dexter Lawrence
QB Daniel Jones
WR Kadarius Toney
DL Dexter Lawrence
RB Saquon Barkley
S Xavier McKinney
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Daniel Jones
CB James Bradberry
S Xavier McKinney
RB Saquon Barkley
CB Darnay Holmes
DL Danny Shelton
QB Daniel Jones
TE Kyle Rudolph
QB Daniel Jones
TE Evan Engram
QB Daniel Jones
DL Danny Shelton
QB Daniel Jones
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Darius Slayton
WR John Ross
WR Kadarius Toney
TE Evan Engram
WR Collin Johnson
S Julian Love
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Kenny Golladay
CB Darnay Holmes
WR Kenny Golladay
CB Darnay Holmes
WR Kenny Golladay
S Julian Love
S Xavier McKinney
S Julian Love
CB Aaron Robinson
CB Darnay Holmes
S Xavier McKinney
CB Darnay Holmes
S Julian Love
QB Daniel Jones
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Kadarius Toney
TE Kyle Rudolph
CB Darnay Holmes
S Julian Love
TE Kyle Rudolph
TE Evan Engram
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Daniel Jones
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
CB Darnay Holmes
QB Daniel Jones
CB Darnay Holmes
QB Daniel Jones
OL Billy Price
OT Matt Peart warms up before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla.
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
WR John Ross
OL Billy Price
LB Quincy Roche
LS Casey Kreiter
CB Adoree' Jackson
RB Elijhaa Penny
T Andrew Thomas
LB Reggie Ragland
CB Adoree' Jackson
RB Elijhaa Penny
WR Collin Johnson
WR Kenny Golladay
DL Leonard Williams
DL Leonard Williams
RB Devontae Booker
WR Kenny Golladay
QB Daniel Jones
RB Gary Brightwell
S Xavier McKinney
DL Dexter Lawrence
S Xavier McKinney
T Korey Cunningham
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kadarius Toney
LB Tae Crowder
DL Austin Johnson
LB Oshane Ximines
LB Cam Brown
LB Cam Brown
CB Darnay Holmes
QB Daniel Jones
CB Darnay Holmes
CB James Bradberry
T Andrew Thomas
OL Matt Skura
LB Azeez Ojulari
T Matt Peart
WR Darius Slayton
LB Quincy Roche
T Nate Solder
OL Wes Martin
QB Brian Lewerke
LB Tae Crowder
HC Joe Judge
G Will Hernandez
QB Daniel Jones
S Xavier McKinney
DL Austin Johnson
DL Austin Johnson
TE Kyle Rudolph
QB Mike Glennon, G Will Hernandez
TE Kyle Rudolph
LB Azeez Ojulari
WR Kadarius Toney
LB Tae Crowder
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Devontae Booker (28), Saquon Barkley (26), Elijhaa Penny (39)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Devontae Booker (28), Saquon Barkley (26), Elijhaa Penny (39)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Julian Love (20)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Julian Love (20)
Julian Love (20)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Keion Crossen (31)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Austin Johnson (98)
Leonard Williams (99)
Pharoh Cooper (83)
Aaron Robinson (33)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Pharoh Cooper (83)
Evan Engram (88)
Leonard Williams (99)
Evan Engram (88)
Tae Crowder (48)
Julian Love (20)
Collin Johnson (15)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
James Bradberry (24)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Benardrick McKinney (49)
Graham Gano (5)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Devontae Booker (28), Gary Brightwell (37)
Matt Peart (74)
Elerson G. Smith (94)
Niko Lalos (57)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Niko Lalos (57)
Jarren Williams (45)
J.R. Reed (27)
Niko Lalos (57)
J.R. Reed (27)
Danny Shelton (75)
Trent Harris (93)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Matt Skura (67)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
David Moa (96)
Ka'Dar Hollman (37)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Mike Glennon (2)
Graham Gano (5), Casey Kreiter (58)
Brian Lewerke
Kadarius Toney led the Giants with seven catches, but they accounted for only 40 yards. Darius Slayton caught four passes for 337 yards. Kenny Golladay was inexplicably targeted just twice and had one 12-yard reception.
"He had more than one (target), but it wasn't enough," Judge said. "We'll make sure we correct that."
Saquon Barkley played for the first time since injuring his ankle in Dallas on Oct. 10. He rushed for 25 yards on six carries and gained 31 more yards on six catches.
"It's a little frustrating to have to sit out again and come back and feel like how I was Week One," Barkley said. "Getting my feet caught back up. That just comes with missing a little time and just getting my body back. I'm going to do whatever it takes to continue to get my body back. To get my brain and my feet and my legs caught up together. That starts with this week. Obviously, we got a short week. We got a big game coming up against the Eagles and just take it one day at a time and get better."
The Giants' primary offensive highlight occurred two plays after Jackson's interception, when Jones lofted a pass into the end zone that Thomas leaped for and caught. It was the first touchdown reception by a Giants offensive lineman since the 1970 merger.
"In practice it's a lot easier," he said. "The tempo is obviously a lot faster [and] the pace is a lot faster. D.J. had pressure on him, made a good throw, and I did what I had to do to make the catch."
Though happy to return to the field after missing three games with foot and ankle injuries, and proud to walk off it with a lifetime memory, Thomas shares everyone's concern about the state of the offense.
"I think it's just consistency," Thomas said. "In a lot of the games that we've played, we've moved the ball really well, but we get in key situations – and coach Judge says it all the time, 'Everyone can't have a my bad.' That's what happens sometimes, whether it's me, someone else, everyone has a play, and when you're playing against great teams you can't do that. Everyone has to execute every play – that's the key to winning."
The Bucs held the key Monday. After losing their previous two games, they were never really threatened. Tom Brady threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to Chris Godwin – on a wide receiver screen – less than four minutes into the game and a five-yarder to Mike Evans in the third quarter. Ronald Jones II scored on a six-yard run and Ryan Succop kicked field goals from 25, 40 and 30 yards.
Brady completed 30 of 46 passes for 307 yards. He was not sacked.
"He definitely sat back there longer than we hoped," defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. "I think that first drive he was getting the ball out pretty quickly. The way we could've affected him was getting our hands up and knocking down some balls, or getting pressure in front of him and making him feel us a little bit. There were times where he was sitting back there, patting the ball and we didn't get enough pressure today. I didn't do enough today and up front in general on the defensive side we didn't do enough today."
Just like the offense. That's not the kind of total team effort Judge has in mind. And he admits the coaches must put the players in the right position to have success.
"Yeah, put that on down, you can put that down tonight – you guys can write that tonight," he said. "Now the players have to execute, that's their job, right? It's our job to teach them, and it's their job to go out there and execute, but we have to make sure we keep putting them in a position to have success, and it's got to be consistently that way. So, you can go and write that down and I'm not going to debate that."
Tickets for Michael Strahan Ceremony
Limited tickets are available for Michael Strahan's jersey retirement game on November 28th
