For the first time since the end of the 2016 season, the New York Giants are a .500 football team.
The Giants returned home after a thrilling 32-31 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to dominate the Washington Redskins, 24-3, for their first victory this season at MetLife Stadium.
For the first time in recent memory, the Giants could breathe easy during the game as they never really had to worry about the Redskins making it close. Even with some Daniel Jones mistakes, the Giants never relinquished control of the game.
Which players stocks were up and down after the Giants victory on Sunday?
Stock up: Wayne Gallman
With Saquon Barkley missing time due to the ankle injury, many wondered how Gallman would play in place of him against the Redskins.
Gallman did not disappoint, as he had 63 yards on the ground with a touchdown and 55 yards receiving and a touchdown, giving him 118 total yards on the day with two touchdowns.
Watching Gallman play well gives hope that the Giants could potentially survive Barkley’s absence from the lineup, especially if Gallman can continue to play this well on a weekly basis.
Stock down: TJ Jones
Jones found himself in the doghouse a bit after two muffed punts.
Not only did Jones see just five snaps at wide receiver, but he got replaced on punt returns as well.
Golden Tate is expected to return next week after a four-game suspension, so if Jones’ time on the field got reduced, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Giants decided to part ways with him once Tate is cleared and on the official roster again.
Jones’ way to possibly stick on the roster was through special teams, but if he’s going to botch returns, then he could find himself looking for work elsewhere this week.
Stock up: Jabrill Peppers
The defense as a unit played extremely well, but nobody played a more solid role in a dominating effort than did Peppers — six total tackles, two pass deflections and a huge pick-six interception of Dwayne Haskins that ultimately put the game out of reach.
With Landon Collins returning to his former home and facing his former team, it was a huge breath of fresh air to see the guy who replaced him in the lineup and the guy who also took his number, outplay him.
Stock down: Jon Hilliman
Hilliman was signed to be the backup for Wayne Gallman with Saquon Barkley going down with the ankle injury.
Hilliman did have 10 carries for 33 yards in his first game, but he had a costly fumble late in the contest with the Giants driving to put the ball in the end zone and at that point, put the game away.
While the turnover didn’t cost the Giants because the Redskins couldn’t capitalize on any mistakes the Giants made the entire game, it could make the Giants wonder if they can trust Hilliman in any key spots going forward, especially if he puts the ball on the ground.
Stock up: Janoris Jenkins
For the first three weeks, many wondered if Janoris Jenkins was “washed up” and no longer the lockdown defender he once was when the Giants signed him back in 2016.
After three abysmal weeks, Jenkins looked like that premier defender again, highlighted by two interceptions.
After some unsavory public comments, many wondered if Jenkins would be on the team for long. But Jenkins played like cornerback everyone expected, especially with the four tackles and three pass deflections.
Jenkins playing well gives the unit a boost, and it can only help things going forward in the season.
Stock down: Lorenzo Carter
Coming into the game on Sunday, Carter was having a rather slow start to the season as one of the Giants’ edge pass rushers.
With just 0.5 sack on the season, getting Carter going would really help the defense, especially a pas rush that at times, hasn’t played well.
Carter, who had two tackles and no sacks against the Redskins, left the game on Sunday with a neck injury and didn’t return. It’s unclear how serious the injury is, but given all of the injuries to the linebackers for the Giants, not having Carter would just be another blow, especially since the Giants have high hopes for him.
