* The Giants' pass rush and secondary complimented each other extremely well in this game. On plays when Seattle got a player open in the secondary, the pass rush got to Russell Wilson and prevented him from completing or even attempting the pass. On other plays, the secondary covered long enough for the front to generate a pass rush and get to him.
* The Giants' pass rush was able to create pass pressure in a lot different ways. They used blitzes from linebacker and defensive backs from different sides of the defense. They also used stunts and twists up front to free up rushers. The Giants had pressure from nine different players in the game. They also dropped some of their bigger players from the line into coverage when they blitzed their DB's, making it only a four-man rush.
Here's a good example of a creative rush early in the game:
* Leonard Williams had 2.5 sacks, but he got them due to a team effort from his teammates and the coaching staff. He got one sack because Tae Crowder flushed Wilson on a delayed blitz up the middle into Williams' grasp. His half-sack came on a play where Jabaal Sheard forced Wilson to step up into him. His final sack came on a stunt called by Patrick Graham, where he was unblocked and looping around on an inside rush. Williams had eight total pressures in the game and was a consistent force.
See how Williams got his two solo sacks:
* The Giants got pressure on Wilson on 26% of his dropbacks, which was only 17th of 24 teams that played on Sunday, but their 9.3% sack rate was the 5th highest of the week. The Giants got to Wilson, often with pressure up the middle, and were disciplined enough to not give him an escape route. The GIants only blitzed on 24% of their plays, which was the 15th-highest frequency among the 24 teams that played last Sunday. They Giants were often getting pressure by rushing only four players.
* Jabaal Sheard has been an impactful player since the Giants signed him. Seahawks right tackle Chad Wheeler couldn't keep him out of the backfield in the fourth quarter. His disruption made things difficult on Russell Wilson. He had a half-sack and two pressures.
On this play, Sheard forces Wilson to step up in the pocket, preventing him from hitting an open receiver and running into the arms of Leonard Williams:
* Carter Coughlin is finding a nice niche as a situational player. He is being used as a pass rusher on obvious passing downs. His athleticism was very apparent when he chased down Russell Wilson on a play-action bootleg and prevented him from running for a first down.
* Jabrill Peppers played another good game. He is very active around the line of scrimmage and in short and intermediate zones. His big hit forced an incompletion on a pass to Tyler Lockett on the final Seahawks drive to put them into a 3rd-and-10.
His highlight play was a sack when he blew up Carlos Hyde on his way to Wilson in the first half. Shaun O'Hara featured this snap on this week's "Strongest Play Of The Week".
* The Giants' defense was able to create enough negative plays to put the Seahawks in a number of poor down-and-distance situations. The Seahawks faced a 2nd-and-18, 2nd-and-16, 2nd-and-26, 2nd-and-25 and a 3rd-and-15 at different points in the game. Seattle only scored on one of those drives, in part, due to a defensive penalty.
* The Giants only allowed Seattle four plays of 20+ yards and didn't allow a reception of more of more than 30, They stayed with a zone heavy approach and didn't permit the Seahawks' explosive receivers to get behind them. They were willing to give up those 10-15 yard out-routes to DK Metcalf if it meant him not getting behind the defense. Patrick Graham rotated between different coverages and his players continued to be very assignment sound.
*Â Dexter Lawrence played a good game, and often placed himself in the Seattle rushing lanes to force Chris Carson to choose a different hole to run through.
* The Giants' passing game did enough to win. Colt McCoy protected the football and went where he was supposed to with his throws. His only interception came on a deflection to a defender. McCoy's two biggest throws may have come on the Giants' final drive, converting a 3rd-and-5 and 2nd-and-7 for first downs.
* The Giants' running game was the star of the offense. After gaining only 32 yards in the first half, the Giants ran for 158 in the second half. There wasn't much of a change in strategy, spare more frequent use of bigger personnel and triple tight end formations. The Giants ran the ball 13 times for 75 yards out of a three tight end group (10 of those snaps came in the second half) – and they blocked well, Including on this run by Alfred Morris.
* Wayne Gallman's 60-yard run in the third quarter came when the Giants were down, 5-0, and became the turning point of the game. On a power sweep to the left, Gallman went behind key blocks from Kaden Smith, Andrew Thomas and Austin Mack. He was virtually untouched around the line of scrimmage before getting all the way to the Seattle 17 to set up a touchdown.
* The Giants' offensive line continues to improve in pass protection. Colt McCoy was only pressured on seven of his 26 dropbacks. The 27% pressure rate was the 10th-best in the league amongst the teams playing on Sunday. Andrew Thomas, Cameron Fleming, Nick Gates and Kevin Zeitler did not allow a pressure throughout the game. It is the second straight week Thomas did not allow a pressure.
* Lemieux and Fleming started the game at left guard and right tackle, but Will Hernandez was given 16 snaps at left guard, and Matt Peart had 15 at right tackle. Lemieux also got a couple of snaps at fullback. Levine Toilolo, Kaden Smith and Evan Engram each logged more than 30 snaps.
View photos from the Week 13 matchup between the Giants and Seahawks at Lumen Field.
New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy drops to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
QB Colt McCoy picked up his first win as a starter since 2014, throwing for 105 yards and a touchdown.
New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy (12) takes a snap at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) dives for yardage as New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers (21) moves to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) moves to tackle New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (15) as New York Giants offensive tackle Cameron Fleming, left, moves in, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy (12) drops to pass as offensive guard Shane Lemieux (66) blocks during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers (21), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is sacked by New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams, left, and linebacker K.J. Wright (50) move to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy (12) passes as offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, right, breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants defensive end Niko Lalos (57) celebrates with teammates after he recovered a fumble by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (not shown) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Jamarco Jones (73) and offensive guard Damien Lewis (68) square off against New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants running back Dion Lewis runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate tosses the ball after a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants running back Alfred Morris (41) gets past Seattle Seahawks free safety D.J. Reed (29) to rush for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants running back Alfred Morris, center-left, gets past Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford (97) to rush for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants running back Alfred Morris rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants running back Alfred Morris (41) reacts in the end zone after scoring his first touchdown of the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy, right, greets running back Alfred Morris (41) after McCoy passed to Morris for the second touchdown of the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants running back Alfred Morris runs with the ball for his second touchdown of the second half after a reception against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) breaks away for a 60-yard run against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams, center, as linebacker Tae Crowder (48) dives in to assist during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates with linebacker Tae Crowder (48) after Williams sacked Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (not shown) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) is stopped by New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams, left, reacts next to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Freddie Swain (18) after a play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, left, and defensive back Logan Ryan, right, break up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams, center, as linebacker Tae Crowder (48) runs in to assist during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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