Things to build off of heading into Thursday Night Football
Sunday's season opener did not go as the Giants planned, falling to the Denver Broncos 27-13.
While the team did not achieve their desired outcome, there were some positives to come out of the loss that the Giants can build on heading into Thursday's road matchup against Washington.
"I told the team, 'There was a lot of things we can build on, guys.' We can't ride this emotional roller coaster of highs and lows week by week," coach Joe Judge said following the loss. "We've got to look at what the truth is. What did we do well enough that we have to build on? What did we do that we have to correct and clean up? And what's going to make the difference in us being a better team? It doesn't matter if you win by 30 or lose by 30 in terms of how you have to improve. You've got to have a level of improvement every week.
"Our focus has to be we wake up tomorrow morning and we improve. We wake up tomorrow, it's already Thursday of the game week for us because we have a short week. So, our guys have to understand this is not a normal game week in terms of that longer transition. We've got to wake up, be mentally engaged, physically get our bodies right and then we've got a tight turnaround to get down there and play a tough opponent at their home stadium."
Among the positives was the play of center Nick Gates. Heading into Monday Night Football, Gates finished in a six-way tie for the best pass block rate among the league's centers, and he wasn't the only O-lineman to have some success against Denver's tough pass rush. Left tackle Andrew Thomas earned an 80.4 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus after allowing just two pressures on 45 pass blocking snaps, while left guard Shane Lemieux did not allow a single pressure on 11 pass blocking snaps, receiving a 81.5 pass block grade.
Another bright spot was the play of veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard. Shepard led the game with seven receptions for 113 yards, and had an impressive 37-yard touchdown catch. PFF handed him a 79.2 overall grade, which ranked 15th in the NFL among all wide receivers, after Daniel Jones had a 155.2 QB Rating when targeting him.
In his Giants debut, wide receiver Kenny Golladay caught 4-of-6 targets for 64 yards, making a couple of strong, contested catches. Jones had a 102.1 QB Rating when targeting the 6-foot-4 receiver, who graded out at 77.7. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams also put up a strong performance in the opener, finishing with one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and six total pressures, earning a 77.6 overall grade (80.9 run defense grade). Meanwhile, veteran defensive back Logan Ryan finished with a game-high 10 tackles (eight solo), one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and a forced fumble which he recovered, earning an elite 90.4 overall grade from PFF, including an 85.9 coverage grade. Ryan was the highest-graded safety in the league heading into Monday Night Football.
Other notable performances came from DL Dexter Lawrence (74.0 overall grade) and DL Austin Johnson (77.5 overall grade), while LB Reggie Ragland made a strong impression in his Giants debut, earning a 73.4 overall grade, aided by an 80.0 tackling grade and 79.2 run defense grade.
Giants won't ride 'emotional roller coaster' win or lose
The Giants were excited to play their season opener after an offseason highlighted by marquee acquisitions and in front of fans whose cheers they hadn't heard in almost 21 months. Then they disappointed themselves and the faithful by playing below their expected standards on offense and defense in a 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
But the Giants have no time to dwell on their displeasure. They will return to the field Thursday to play NFC East rival Washington in FedExField.
Given those factors, coach Joe Judge instructed his players with the same honesty and pragmatism that has marked that relationship since his arrival.
"It's real simple for me. A win or a loss, you've got to come out and you've got to show your team the truth of what happens on tape," Judge said. "You've got to show them examples of winning football, what we did well, things we can build on and things that are going to help us move forward and win as a team. Then, you've got to show them things that you have to eliminate as a team, things you have to improve on, and you have to do it fast to make sure you don't eliminate opportunities.
"To me, it's not about going in there and giving motivational speeches or trying to get in there and embarrass anybody. It's just you put the tape on, you teach through it and you correct it. Our job is to be teachers. … We preach about being mentally tough and it can't be an emotional rollercoaster. Win or lose, it doesn't matter. The emphasis every week is you come in and work to improve. That was the emphasis today, as well."
📸 Must-see photos from Giants vs. Broncos
Check out the gallery below to view the best photos from the Giants' season opener against the Denver Broncos.
Check out the best photos from the Giants' season opener against the Denver Broncos.
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a catch in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) attempts to tackle New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed (59) battles against New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) and New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts after a play during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) runs the ball in for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) evades a tackle from Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) in action during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Denver Broncos' Shelby Harris (96) and Kareem Jackson (22) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Denver Broncos' Ronald Darby (21) tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) as Shepard scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Denver Broncos' Ronald Darby (21) tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) as Shepard scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Denver Broncos' Ronald Darby (21) tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) as Shepard scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and Xavier McKinney (29) break up a pass to Denver Broncos' Caden Sterns (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan (23) and Jabrill Peppers (21) tackle Denver Broncos' Noah Fant (87) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' C.J. Board (18) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver BroncosSunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (3) breaks away from Denver Broncos' Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Kenny Golladay (19) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) warms up with teammates before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge, left, talks to Nate Solder (76) before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
CB James Bradberry
CB Adoree' Jackson, S Xavier McKinney, DB Logan Ryan
CB Adoree' Jackson
HC Joe Judge
CB Adoree' Jackson
CB Rodarius Williams
LB Blake Martinez
TE Kyle Rudolph, RB Saquon Barkley, RB Elijhaa Penny
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley, RB Elijaha Penny
LB Oshane Ximines
DB Logan Ryan
K Graham Gano
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Darius Slayton
WR Kadarius Toney
RB Saquon Barkley
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
WR Kadarius Toney
WR Kenny Golladay
RB Saquon Barkley
CB James Bradberry
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kenny Golladay
TE Kyle Rudolph, RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley
DB Logan Ryan
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Kadarius Toney
TE Kyle Rudolph
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
TE Kyle Rudolph
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Tae Crowder
FB Cullen Gillaspia
LB Cam Brown
OL Andrew Thomas
LB Cam Brown
CB James Bradberry
LB Carter Coughlin
RB Saquon Barkley
OT Matt Peart
LB Quincy Roche
CB Darnay Holmes
LB Azeez Ojulari
S Jabrill Peppers
S Jabrill Peppers
S Xavier McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
FB Cullen Gillaspia
LB Blake Martinez
TE Kaden Smith, FB Cullen Gillaspia
WR Sterling Shepard
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
WR Kenny Golladay
C Nick Gates, G Will Hernandez
QB Daniel Jones, WR Kenny Golladay
C Nick Gates, G Will Hernandez
QB Daniel Jones, WR Kenny Golladay
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Sterling Shepard
HC Joe Judge
RB Saquon Barkley
DB Logan Ryan
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