Coaching Matters in the NFL
Just look at these Giants.
The New York Giants, owners of the second-best record in the entire NFL through six weeks, should not be this good. This is a team at the beginning of a proper rebuild (apparently), a team with a focus on evaluating talent to determine who can be a long-term piece of the puzzle (again, apparently).
Brian Daboll and his staff are making us rethink everything about this team and this organization.
Additionally, they’re making me reconsider how important coaching is, especially in an NFL season where teams are playing their way out of victories each and every week. Regardless of the opponent, regardless of the location, Brian Daboll’s Giants are never out of a game until the final whistle blows.
This is as well-prepared and well-coached a team as I think I’ve ever had the pleasure to cheer on. I know that may be sacrilege to some, but this roster should not be pulling out five wins in their first six games, including three double-digit second half comebacks. Through all facets of the game, these players are put in positions to succeed and are coming through when it matters the most.
Take the game-clinching strip sack from rookie DE Kayvon Thibodeaux yesterday. The rookie had been searching for his first sack of the season, and he couldn’t have picked a better time for it than right after the Giants took their first lead of the day. Funny enough, in an AMA on Reddit back in the spring (“ask me anything”), Thibs said he was most excited to sack Lamar Jackson. Talk about walking the walk!
Remember all the “analysts” who said there were question marks about Thibodeaux’s love for the sport? Seeing Thibs literally in tears postgame shows how much this win meant to him, proving those who thought otherwise entirely wrong. I speak for all Giants fans when I thank whoever kicked off that narrative, allowing Thibs to be there at the fifth pick for Big Blue.
Sticking with the defense, the Giants are currently tied with the Patriots for the seventh-best scoring defense in the league, giving up an average of 18.8 points per game. Seventh-best! Dexter Lawrence is playing out of his mind, the pass rush is getting to opposing QBs, and the team has done a masterful job executing a true “bend, don’t break” mentality.
What a way to close out DC Wink Martindale’s first game against the Ravens since he parted ways with the team after last season. S Julian Love with the huge interception, and Thibs with the game-sealing strip sack, veteran and rookie alike coming up big. These guys are playing with a confidence we haven’t seen for years in the Meadowlands.
Sure, the rushing defense is far from good. But it’s 2022, when it comes down to crunch time, teams are going to turn to their passing attacks. And that’s where the Giants find success: leaning on the creative blitz/pass rush schemes from Martindale. Certainly doesn’t hurt when you have a pass rusher like Thibodeaux coming off the edge and a DT like Lawrence turning into a diet version of Chris Jones in KC.
As for the offense, let’s just say they’re a second half team. Currently, the Giants are second in the league in second half scoring, averaging 14.5 points per second half so far this year. That total would be even higher, if not for Saquon Barkley intelligently giving himself up right before the end zone to seal things.
Daniel Jones continues to play mistake-free football, which is all you can ask from him. Meanwhile, OC Mike Kafka continues to utilize two- and three-TE sets, two- and three-RB sets, scheming players open regardless of personnel. He’s done a masterful job putting Jones in positions to succeed despite a complete lack of WR threats on the outside.
Luckily though, the Giants got to see rookie WR Wan’Dale Robinson make his second appearance of the season and his first truly productive one. The rookie turned his three catches into two first downs and his first NFL TD, wide open at the goal line. Given their lack of talent at WR this season, having Robinson as a consistent weapon will be key.
According to Mike Sando from The Athletic, the Giants have added more EPA (expected points added) than ANY other team in the NFL between the 2021 season and these first six games in 2022. If you needed any more proof that coaching makes a difference, there you go.
I know the Daniel Jones truthers out there are taking their victory lap six weeks into the season, and to an extent rightfully so. But he’s doing a masterful job of managing the game, keeping the Giants close and making the key throws late when needed. He hasn’t quite flashed the ceiling you’d hope for from a sixth overall pick, but it’s nearly impossible to complain about his performance so far, especially considering his skill position players.
Do the Giants continue to get out-gained yardage-wise by their opponents? Sure do! Are games decided by who gained the most yards? Nope! Therefore, we can sit back, relax, and enjoy these wins.
I genuinely haven’t been this excited about the Giants since 2014/15, if not even farther back. I expected this to be a competitive team, one that shows more heart and plays fundamentally sound football when compared to the last five years. Now, we’ve got a team with the second best record in the entire league.
Before the season started, I was hoping for progress and a decent draft pick for GM Joe Schoen. Given the way these Giants have played through six weeks, I’m indifferent about the draft and instead focused on a legitimate potential playoff appearance for these guys. The Giants’ next four games are all winnable. We could very well be looking at a 7–3 or better record heading into the second half of the season.
With Brian Daboll and Co. in charge, why not have a little faith?
