Three takeaways from Giants' Week 16 loss to Atlanta Falcons
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws a pass against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA football game on Sept. 28 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
1. Giants are full speed ahead for the No. 1 overall pick
The Raiders gave the Giants an early Christmas present on Sunday by beating the Jaguars. That means the 2-13 Giants are the sole owners of the NFL’s worst record.
With two games remaining, it puts them in the driver’s seat for the top pick in April’s draft. That’s the only thing left for fans to root for.
A win likely would anger fans dreaming of their next quarterback. If the Giants continue losing, a reward is in clearer sight.
2. Evan Neal’s Giants tenure continues to be miserable
Neal’s poor cut block led to Zach Harrison deflecting Drew Lock’s pass for a pick-6 on the second play of the second half. Seeing a tackle fall and leave his quarterback exposed is never a good sign. It was the most glaring part of a bad day for the right tackle, who also had three false-start penalties, including two on the Giants’ final drive.
It’s hard to say that Neal’s tenure hasn’t been poor since he was drafted seventh overall in 2022. There was plenty of blame to go around on Sunday, but Neal’s latest lackluster game highlights why the Giants miss tackle Andrew Thomas, who played six games before suffering a season-ending injury.
3. The Giants’ QB situation remains ugly
Lock had three turnovers on Sunday — two pick-6s and a second-quarter fumble — yet coach Brian Daboll didn’t think about pulling him for Tommy DeVito because he wanted Lock to sort it out.
Quarterback has been a revolving door the last four weeks, so why not do it again? Lock’s three starts have been awful, with one touchdown pass and four interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns.
DeVito cleared the concussion protocol and was available to play but didn’t. So the question about who will start remains for another week, because Lock didn’t impress. Either way, his poor play opposite Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was making his first NFL start, is another indictment of the front office.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
