The New York Giants upset the Minnesota Vikings, 31-24, in the Wild Card round of the NFC Playoffs on Sunday. It was their first postseason appearance since 2016 and their first win since Super Bowl XLVI.
It’s been a long time since retired offensive lineman and current NFL analyst, Brian Baldinger, had the opportunity to break down a Giants playoff game. But what he saw over the weekend left him impressed.
Up front, Baldinger says, the Giants were “dominant.” That began with nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and defensive end Leonard Williams.
Lawrence, in particular, played “as well as one can.”
.@giants @llawrencesexy was as dominant as one can get from the DT position. A one man wrecking crew. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/WXsIO7TJUI
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 16, 2023
But it wasn’t just Lawrence and Williams. Although his box score numbers were lacking, rookie linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux also played a solid game.
.@Giants @kayvont this is how you play the game; full Metal jacket…and then have a little fun. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/ix0S4ngGx4
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 16, 2023
Because of the strong play up front, it took some of the pressure off of the secondary. And with safety Xavier McKinney and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson both back and healthy, it allowed the Giants to essentially eliminate Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the game.
.@Giants had a team effort containing Justin Jefferson; tackled the catch…nothing extra and kept him out of the EZ. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/ZfcsIk1DpQ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 16, 2023
“Adoree’ Jackson makes a difference. So does Xavier McKinney,” Baldinger said. “Shut down the league’s leading receiver. Just an unbelievable job.”
Baldinger also took a moment to appreciate some old-school football and the emotion of left tackle Andrew Thomas.
.@Giants @saquon 28 yards to paydirt. The old “FA pitch 90” with “pin and pull “ action. Love when the HOGS get excited. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/i1WcEjkMiU
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 16, 2023
“Look at the reaction right there. Look at Andrew Thomas,” Baldinger said. “Yeah, baby! Give it to me.”
There are plenty of things the Giants have to clean up but there’s also a lot to like. They are excelling in certain areas and completely dominating in others.
