Pro Football Focus takeaways from Week 14 loss vs. Arizona
The Giants' four-game winning streak came to an end on Sunday as the Cardinals traveled to MetLife Stadium and defeated the Giants, 26-7.
The loss was the Giants' first since November 2, when Tampa Bay beat the Giants on Monday Night Football, 25-23. The Giants now sit at 5-8 on the season, one game behind Washington for the lead in the NFC East lead
Despite the loss, there were several bright spots on both sides of the ball.
Here are some Pro Football Focus takeaways from Big Blue's loss to Arizona:
* Kevin Zeitler earned his highest overall grade of the season on Sunday. His 89.2 overall grade was the Giants' highest on offense, aided by his elite 91.9 run blocking grade. Heading into the Monday night game between Baltimore and Cleveland, Zeitler is PFF's highest-graded guard for Week 14. The veteran was named to PFF's team of the week for Week 14.
* Kaden Smith caught just one pass for six yards, but still earned a solid grade from PFF. His 75.5 overall grade was the second-highest on the offense as Smith made his mark in the run game, earning an 83.5 run blocking grade.
* Speaking of the run game, Wayne Gallman continued his strong play in Week 14 despite the game script working against him. Gallman carried the ball 12 times for 57 yards, good for an average of 4.8 yards per carry, while catching three passes for 16 yards. His play earned him a 72.3 overall grade, including a 73.8 run grade.
* Nick Gates earned a strong 82.7 pass blocking grade on 32 passing plays, the highest pass blocking grade on the team Sunday.
* On the other side of the ball, David Mayo earned the team's highest grade on defense with a stellar 95.1 overall grade. Mayo made his presence felt against the run, earning a 94.3 run defense grade.
* The Giants got strong play out of two of their interior defensive linemen again in Week 14, but this time it was B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson. Hill got the team's second-highest grade on defense with an 84.2, including an 82.4 run defense grade, after recording three tackles (two solo) and a tackle for loss. Tomlinson finished right behind him with an 81.6 overall grade after he registered three tackles (two solo), one sack, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit. He received an 85.6 pass rush grade.
* Both of the Giants' top two corners graded well against Arizona. Isaac Yiadom earned a 76.5 overall grade, aided by a 77.2 coverage grade and a 77.0 tackling grade. James Bradberry was not far behind with his 75.8 overall grade as he put together a solid overall performance. Bradberry received a 73.9 coverage grade, a 73.1 run defense grade and a 79.4 tackling grade.
Joe Judge talks Daniel Jones' return; plan for Week 15
As he routinely does on his Zoom calls with reporters, Joe Judge this afternoon gave detailed and thoughtful responses to numerous queries, which today unsurprisingly focused on quarterback Daniel Jones.
But the coach's two most significant responses can be condensed to these: no (he doesn't lament playing Jones yesterday) and yes (Jones will start again Sunday night against Cleveland if he's able).
After a week of speculation, Jones returned to the field after a one-game hiatus caused by the hamstring injury he suffered in Cincinnati on Nov. 29. His mobility limited, he completed 11 of 21 passes for 127 yards, was sacked six times and did not run the ball once before being replaced by Colt McCoy in the game's final minutes. The offense sputtered during much of the Giants' 26-7 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Judge had numerous conversations with the team's medical staff and with Jones and is convinced the decision to play the second-year pro was correct.
"There are no regrets, there's no second guessing," he said. "We took a lot of time discussing a lot of things. Scenarios with doctors, coaches, making sure it was the best position for the team. That's the decision we went with and move forward."
Jones made pretty much the same statement an hour after the game.
"I don't regret it," he said. "I felt good enough to play, I felt like I could do everything I needed to do throughout the game. So no, I don't have any regrets about that."
Last week, Judge specified criteria he wanted to see from Jones and the quarterback met them in practice.
"We saw he could protect himself in the pocket and move fluidly through the pocket," Judge said. "He could get rid of the ball if he needed. If he had to eat a sack at some point, that was something we were going to go into the game plan knowing it could happen. Obviously, there are some things that come up in the game. You get hit in the pocket at certain points. He's no different than the other 31 quarterbacks in the NFL. They all deal with the same risks every time they drop back in the pocket. To answer your directly, he was able to protect himself yesterday."
Judge added, "the way he moved in the game was what we expected. We put him through enough in practice last week to make sure he was put in a position where he could protect himself. We knew that there were things that were going to come up in the game and some limitations that he was going to have throughout the game. We were willing to live with those."
Photos: Giants celebrate "My Cause, My Cleats"
This past Sunday, the Giants celebrated "My Cause, My Cleats" as players wore customized cleats reflecting their commitment to charitable causes.
The charitable organizations players selected represent a variety of different causes that they are personally connected to, including: medical research, social justice, ending domestic violence, and supporting our neighbors in need during their most difficult times.
Check out the gallery below to view photos of the cleats worn by the Giants in Week 14 as part of the "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative.
This week, the Giants are celebrating "My Cause My Cleats" as players will wear customized cleats reflecting their commitment to charitable causes.
The charitable organizations players selected represent a variety of different causes that they are personally connected to, including: medical research, social justice, ending domestic violence, and supporting our neighbors in need during their most difficult times.
Kyler Fackrell (51), Wayne Gallman (22), Blake Martinez (54), CJ Board (18), Sterling Shepard (87), Tae Crowder (48),
DL Dalvin Tomlinson - Kate's Club
Dalvin Tomlinson, who lost both of his parents at a young age, will be representing Kate's Club, a non-profit organization in Atlanta that empowers children and young adults who are grieving the loss of a parent or sibling.
WR Sterling Shepard - AHA & Alzheimer's
Sterling Shepard is honoring his father who passed away from a heart attack when he was 6 years old by representing the American Heart Association and his grandmother who passed away from Alzheimer's by representing the Alzheimer's Foundation.
LB Blake Martinez - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Blake Martinez is honoring his childhood friend, Richard Blau, who passed away at 14 years old from osteosarcoma, by representing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude's strives to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.
DB Logan Ryan - Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation
Logan Ryan and his family started the Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation in 2017 to support animal welfare. Through partnerships with organizations around the country, RARF promotes adoption, offers grants and provides educational opportunities to better the lives of animals.
G Kevin Zeitler - My Sisters' Place
Kevin Zeitler is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting My Sisters' Place, a non-profit that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy and community education throughout the Northeast.
CB James Bradberry - Covenant House NJ & Arthritis Fdtn.
James Bradberry will be honoring his grandmother who suffers from Arthritis by representing the Arthritis Foundation. He will also be representing his Team of Teams group which is supporting Covenant House New Jersey, a comprehensive residential care and related services to help New Jersey's youth who have suffered from abuse, neglect, abandonment, homelessness, and human trafficking.
OT Andrew Thomas - Eva's Village
Andrew Thomas is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting Eva's Village. Since 1982, Eva's has been a community pillar that provides care and support to individuals struggling with food and housing insecurity, underlying substance use, mental and physical health disorders, and lack of job readiness or access to employment.
DL Leonard Williams - NYC Police Foundation
Leonard Williams is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The New York City Police Foundation which works to improve the quality of police services in New York City. Their goal is to raise funds for NYPD public safety programs and provide resources to innovate and strengthen police services.
RB Wayne Gallman - Single Parent Foundation
Wayne Gallman, who was raised by a single mother, is supporting The Single Parents Foundation. This organizations works to create a friendly, positive, productive and supportive environment, where single parents can receive the help they need to enable themselves function fully in society and support their children and young adults to achieve their potentials in life.
OT Cameron Fleming - American GI Forum - National Veterans Outreach Program
Cameron Fleming will be representing the organization his Mother works for, The American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program, INC. This organization was created to provide hands on services to veterans at the local level by advocating for improved veteran care and transitioning service members to civilian life.
DL RJ McIntosh - Covenant House NJ
RJ McIntosh is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting Covenant House New Jersey, a non-profit that provides comprehensive residential care and related services to help New Jersey's youth who have suffered from abuse, neglect, abandonment, homelessness, and human trafficking.
TE Evan Engram - Special Olympics of New Jersey & Eva's Village
Evan Engram is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting Eva's Village. Since 1982, Eva's it has been a community pillar that provides care and support to individuals struggling with food and housing insecurity, underlying substance use, mental and physical health disorders, and lack of job readiness or access to employment. Engram will also be representing Special Olympics of New Jersey which provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
LB Lorenzo Carter - United Way of NYC & ATL
Lorenzo Carter is member of the Team of Teams group supporting United Way, a non-profit that focuses on education, financial stability and health to help create strong communities.
TE Levine Toilolo - National Breast Cancer Foundation & RISE
Levine Toilolo will be honoring his mother, who just finished her final radiation treatment for breast cancer, by representing the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This non-profit, promotes breast cancer awareness and education, provides free screening services, and supports breast cancer patients and survivors. Toilolo will also be representing his Team of Teams partner organization RISE, a national non-profit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
LB David Mayo - Pat Tillman Foundation
David Mayo is honoring his brothers that serve in our military by representing the Pat Tillman Foundation, a non-profit that unites and empowers military service members, veterans and spouses by creating the next generation of public and private sector leaders who are committed to service beyond self.
CB Darnay Holmes - Pasadena Giants & My Brother's Keeper
Darnay Holmes will be representing his hometown Pasadena Giants, a youth football and cheerleading program for children ages 6-14 that he personally created for youth in his hometown. He will also be representing My Brother's Keeper of Yonkers , a program that ensures that the young people of Yonkers have the chance to achieve their full potential by addressing the opportunity gaps impacting boys and young men of color. Darnay has been working with them this year to mentor Yonkers youth.
DL Austin Johnson - Covenant House Atlantic City
Austin Johnson, a New Jersey native, will be representing Covenant House Atlantic City, a non-profit that provides comprehensive residential care and related services to Atlantic City's youth who have suffered from abuse, neglect, abandonment, homelessness, and human trafficking.
DE Niko Lalos - RISE
Niko Lalos is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting RISE, a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
S Nate Ebner - Far Rockaway Colts
Nate Ebner is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The Far Rockaway Colts, a non-profit organization, led by members of the New York Police Department, that has been created to bridge the gap between the police and the community. The program focuses on providing educational support and teaching healthy habits through mentoring and sports; as well as instilling accountability in children who reside in Far Rockaway, Queens.
C Nick Gates - St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation
Nick Gates is honoring his mother who survived Necrotic Fasciitis with the care from the doctors, nurses and staff of St. Rose Dominican San Martin Hospital in Las Vegas. The St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation works to improve community health and wellness through fundraising and relationship building for Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican.
LB Kyler Fackrell - Operation Underground Railroad
Operation Underground Railroad works to end child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation by rescuing and supporting thousands of survivors through the world.
TE Kaden Smith - Susan G Komen
Kaden Smith will be honoring his mother who is a breast cancer survivor by representing the Susan G Komen Foundation. This organization works to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in communities and investing in research to prevent and cure breast cancer.
LB Devante Downs - My Sisters' Place
Devante Downs is a member of the Team of Teams groups supporting My Sisters' Place, a non-profit that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy and community education throughout the Northeast.
QB Daniel Jones - NYC Police Foundation
Daniel Jones is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The New York City Police Foundation which works to improve the quality of police services in New York City. Their goal is to raise funds for NYPD public safety programs and provide resources to innovate and strengthen police services.
WR Darius Slayton - Far Rockaway Colts
Darius Slayton is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The Far Rockaway Colts, a non-profit organization, led by members of the New York Police Department, that has been created to bridge the gap between the police and the community. The program focuses on providing educational support and teaching healthy habits through mentoring and sports; as well as instilling accountability in children who reside in Far Rockaway, Queens.
QB Colt McCoy - Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit that develops lasting positive relationships for young people through mentorship to provide them with the support to realize their potential and build their futures.
RB Alfred Morris - Bronx Defenders
Alfred Morris is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The Bronx Defenders, a public defender nonprofit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the justice system and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself.
WR Austin Mack - My Sisters' Place
Austin Mack is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting My Sisters' Place, a non-profit that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy and community education throughout the Northeast.
WR CJ Board - RISE
CJ Board is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting RISE, a national nonprofit founded by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. This organization educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
RB Dion Lewis - Unity House
Unity House provides resources and services to people living in poverty, adults with mental illness, victims of domestic violence, children with developmental delays and their families, people living with HIV/AIDs, and others who can be supported by their services.
RB Elijhaa Penny - 2 Cent Family Foundation
Elijhaa and Rashaad Penny created the 2 Cent Family Foundation to provide recreational experiences and educational resources to children in their hometown of Norwalk, CA. They also offer a free football camp that teaches young players about sportsmanship, teamwork and hard work while incorporating mentorship from the two NFL brothers.
S Jabrill Peppers - East Orange Recreation
Jabrill Peppers will be honoring his hometown of East Orange, NJ by representing East Orange Recreation. Their goal is to provide their residents with safe, quality and affordable recreational activities, along with culturally enriched programs to residents of all ages and abilities.
DB Julian Love - Andrew Weishar Fdtn.
In 2012, Julian Love's childhood friend, Andrew Weishar, passed away after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer. His one request was to "pay forward" the kindness that was shown to his family during his fight. The foundation provides direct financial relief and ensures patients and their families that they are not alone.
P Riley Dixon - My Sisters' Place
Riley Dixon is a member of the Team of Teams groups supporting My Sisters' Place, a non-profit that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy and community education throughout the Northeast.
CB Ryan Lewis - Eva's Village
Ryan Lewis is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting Eva's Village. Since 1982, Eva's has been a community pillar that provides care and support to individuals struggling with food and housing insecurity, underlying substance use, mental and physical health disorders, and lack of job readiness or access to employment.
LB Tae Crowder - Make A Change
Tae Crowder gives back to youth and those in need in the communities of Pine Mountain, Atlanta, and Columbus, Georgia throughout the year as part of his personal efforts to Make A Change in his local communities.
LB TJ Brunson - Far Rockaway Colts
TJ Brunson is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The Far Rockaway Colts, a non-profit organization, led by members of the New York Police Department, that has been created to bridge the gap between the police and the community. The program focuses on providing educational support and teaching healthy habits through mentoring and sports; as well as instilling accountability in children who reside in Far Rockaway, Queens.
RB Devonta Freeman - Devonta Freeman Foundation
Devonta Freeman will be representing his own foundation which provides a free football and cheerleading camp for children of all ages in Miami, FL.
DL Dexter Lawrence - My Sisters' Place
Dexter Lawrence is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting My Sisters' Place, a non-profit that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy and community education throughout the Northeast.
C Spencer Pulley - Far Rockaway Colts
Spencer Pulley is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The Far Rockaway Colts, a non-profit organization, led by members of the New York Police Department, that has been created to bridge the gap between the police and the community. The program focuses on providing educational support and teaching healthy habits through mentoring and sports; as well as instilling accountability in children who reside in Far Rockaway, Queens.
OL Shane Lemieux - United Way NYC
Shane Lemieux is member of the Team of Teams group supporting United Way, a non-profit that focuses on education, financial stability and health to help create strong communities.
DL B.J. Hill - Kingdom Citizen's Outreach Ministries
Kingdom Citizens Outreach Ministry is a faith-based volunteer organization in B.J's home state of North Carolina that looks to serve their community by providing for all who are in need of help.
G Will Hernandez - El Paso Victims Education Fund (El Paso Community Foundation)
Will Hernandez, who attended the University of Texas at El Paso, will be representing the El Paso Victim's Education Fund. In the wake of a tragic mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, the El Paso Community Foundation established the El Paso Victims' Education Fund - a scholarship fund for the children of those shot and injured or killed by the shooter on August 3, 2019.
G Chad Slade - Make A Wish of NJ
Chad Slade is celebrating Nicholas Storms, a wish child who he met through Make a Wish of NJ. The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The children we serve are fighting for their lives, and their families are doing everything that they can to help them in their battles.
WR Golden Tate - Sign Me Up
Golden Tate will be representing Sign Me Up, a book written by his wife Elise Tate. This book aids in communication and hopes to improve relationships in young families by decreasing frustration and encouraging earlier communication with sign language. Through their Helping Hands program, a minimum of 10% of proceeds is given back to families in need.
LB Cam Brown - THON (PSU)
Cam Brown, a Penn State Alum, THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Penn State is home to the largest student-run event in the world through their 46-hour dance marathon. The event benefits the Four Diamonds Fund, a program at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital that helps families of children with cancer.
OT Matt Peart - Bronx Defenders & ACS
Matt Peart, a Bronx native, is a member of the Team of Teams group supporting The Bronx Defenders, a public defender nonprofit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the justice system and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. Peart will also be honoring his family members who have fought cancer, including his big brother Claude who currently deals with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), by representing the American Cancer Society, a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.
LS Casey Kreiter - Gamers Outreach
Gamers Outreach is a non-profit that provides joy to children who are going through medical treatments in hospital through video gaming.
WR Alex Bachman - Jessie Rees Foundation
Alex Bachman is supporting the Jessie Rees Foundation which fulfills their mission by connecting with families, bringing awareness to their stories, offering them a network of helpful resources and sending the entire family continual doses of encouragement throughout their journey.
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