The New York Giants fell to the New York Jets, 34-27, on Sunday dropping their record to 2-8 on the season.
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
Although it is warranted, no one will be fired
Losing to the Jets a team that couldn’t get out of its own way for the first eight games gave fans a sinking feeling and left them wondering if this coaching staff is the right one for the team to move forward with. Head coach Pat Shurmur was asked about the state of the team.
“The state?” he’s asked. “We are disappointed we haven’t been able to win a game for six, right? That’s the way it works. We’re disappointed that we didn’t win this game. That’s where it’s at. The state of the team, that’s where we’re at.”
Losing to a lesser team leads to all type of questions, but the Giants, even though CEO John Mara was visibly angry over the loss, won’t be doing anything drastic — yet.
Shurmur said after the game that there will be no staff changes.
Darius Slayton gives fans a glimmer of hope
Every draft comes with its surprises. The Giants selected Auburn wide receiver Darius Slayton in the fifth round (pick 171 overall) and felt they were getting a steal with the speedster. After a slow start that included a case of the dropsies in camp, Slayton has lived up to that expectation and then some.
With Sterling Shepard (concussion) still sidelined, Slayton played 67 of the Giants’ 72 offensive snaps and continued to be a favorite of quarterback Daniel Jones. Slayton caught 10 of 14 targets for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He now has five touchdowns on the season, tying him for the rookie lead with first round pick D.K. Metcalf of Seattle and Washington’s Terry McLaurin, a third rounder.
Giants are committed to DeAndre Baker
Embattled rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker has been under severe scrutiny after a rocky start to his career that has seen him — and the rest of the Giants’ secondary — give up the most passing plays over 40 yards in the league this season.
On Sunday, with Sam Beal finally active, the Giants chose to play Baker all 65 of the team’s defensive snaps. Beal only got in the game when Janoris Jenkins left the field for the final 15 snaps to be checked for a concussion.
Baker was penalized 33 yards for pass interference on the first snap of the fourth quarter, setting up Le’Veon Bell’s go-ahead one-yard touchdown run — the game’s eventual winning score. The Giants are going to keep putting Baker out there until he gets it right.
What if Baker never gets it right?
