Giants' grades vs. Indianapolis Colts: A triple-A performance
Giants head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Drew Lock walk off the field after a game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
OFFENSE: A
The Giants scored more points on Sunday (45) than they had in the three previous games this month combined (32). Malik Nabers flashed the playmaking abilities that had been obscured since he suffered a concussion early in the season, turning short passes into huge touchdown-scoring plays. Drew Lock had one of the great statistical games of all time with four TD passes and a rushing score that essentially earned him an NFL contract as someone’s backup next season. There were no turnovers and the makeshift offensive line didn’t allow a sack.
DEFENSE: C
These Giants kept things way too interesting in allowing the Colts to march up and down the field with long-stride plays and consistency. The Colts amassed 446 yards, had five plays that went for more than 20 yards and drove to the Giants’ 35 on nine of their first 10 possessions. But there were a few stands, including a key third- and fourth-and-1 stop in the third quarter, interceptions by Dane Belton and Dru Phillips, a missed Colts field goal and a failed hook-and-lateral on a two-point conversion that could have tied the score in the fourth quarter. Brian Burns had three tackles for loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
The frisbee-catching pooches from Mutts Gone Nutts had barely left the field from their halftime show when Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a blazing-speed touchdown. He was untouched and didn’t need much help, but Tomon Fox and Bryce Ford-Wheaton did provide nice blocks to aid the endeavor. Graham Gano connected on a late 30-yard field goal to cap the scoring.
COACHING: A
Whatever the merits of it turn out to be for the Giants in April — or his own future after next week — Brian Daboll has gotten the Giants to play hard through a tailspin most coaches would not have the yoke strength to control. There wasn’t much fancy about the game plan, but it was good enough to beat a Colts team that still was alive for a playoff spot yet looked as if it were the one tanking. Should we give Daboll points for not calling a hook-and-lateral on a two-point conversion the way the Colts did?
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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