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Cover 4: What the win means for the Giants moving forward

Sep 18, 2023 at 10:54 AM

by John Schmeelk, Dan Salomone, Lance Medow & Matt Citak

The Giants.com crew reacts to the Week 2 thriller in the desert:

John Schmeelk: When the Giants went into this past offseason, they had certain objectives they were trying to meet as they tried to improve this team. Offensively, they were trying to make the team more explosive and capable of scoring points in bunches. The additions of Darren Waller, Jalin Hyatt, and Parris Campbell were meant to provide speed and big plays in the passing game. Those players were supposed to allow Daniel Jones to take the next step as a passer who could more consistently make big plays down the field.

Mission accomplished. The second half against the Cardinals was the fulfillment of that vision as Jones went 17 of 21 for 259 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Waller was tied for the team lead in catches, and Hyatt led the team in receiving yards with the two biggest plays. The Giants had eight plays of 15 yards or more, all in the second half. It was also clear why bringing back Saquon Barkley was a part of the plan, as he broke tackles, evaded defenders and picked up tough yards for touchdowns throughout the half. He was essential to the victory.

Moving forward, it is now imperative for the Giants to show that type of offensive prowess throughout the game, and not just for 30 minutes. The 49ers and many of the remaining teams on the schedule are too good to spot them a half of football like the Giants did against Arizona. This team needs to be ready to play from the opening kickoff the rest of the season if they want to make the playoffs.

Dan Salomone: Everyone wanted to know one thing in Brian Daboll's postgame press conference: What the heck did he tell the team at halftime? I'll volunteer a guess. He wheeled in a projector and just rolled tape of the 2022 Alabama vs. Tennessee game, where Jalin Hyatt became a household name. Now Giants fans can enjoy him streaming into their living rooms.

As veteran tight end Darren Waller said from the winning locker room, you never know where or when a spark will come. Well, how about the first play of the second half? Hyatt, the Biletnikoff Award winner who dropped a pass on his only target in Week 1 as part of the Giants' 90-minute scoring drought to begin the season, took the top off the Arizona defense for a 58-yard gain. His first NFL catch sparked the greatest comeback in Giants history since 1949. His second reception – a 31-yarder in the fourth quarter – set up Isaiah Hodgins' game-tying touchdown.

"Definitely, last week I didn't do what I wanted to do personally," the third-round draft choice said. "I had a drop. Just the effort and everything I did in that game just wasn't there. With a new week, when I came into this game, I knew I had to change everything. My whole week of preparation was different. I actually was watching film 24-7, seeing who we're playing. Not only that, DJ (was) always standing in my corner, saying, 'We're going to get the ball to you, we're going to get the ball to you.' That's what he did, and I think that just goes back to our leadership."

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