Kicker Graham Gano accounted for all of the Giants' scoring Sunday by kicking three field goals. Riley Dixon had a season-high six punts for 248 yards – and Mike Glennon, who played quarterback because Daniel Jones was inactive with a neck injury, suffered a concussion.
The Giants' trip to South Florida was neither productive nor successful. They lost to the Miami Dolphins, 20-9, in Hard Rock Stadium. Their fourth straight loss on the road dropped their season record to 4-8. Miami improved to 6-7 and joined the 1994 Giants as the only NFL teams to follow a seven-game losing streak with five consecutive victories.
The offense gained 250 yards, its second-lowest total of the season. The Giants did not reach the end zone for the first time in almost a year (Dec. 20, 2020 vs. Cleveland). Glennon averaged only 4.3 yards on his 44 passes.
Those numbers and the result didn't dissuade coach Joe Judge that the Giants are progressing.
"There was a lot of things that I saw today in the way we played, a lot of things that are moving in the right direction, a lot of things I'm very pleased with in terms of how we competed," Judge said. "And we were able to make some stops at critical moments, able to make some good decisions."
Moments later, responding to another question, Judge conceded, "There were a number of plays out there today. And we've got to do a better job of taking advantage of all our opportunities."
They had few close to the Miami goal line. The Giants' deepest penetration was to the Dolphins' 16-yard line on their first possession of the third quarter. That was their lone advance into the red zone.
Gano kicked field goals of 39, 34 and 51 yards, the latter his team single season record sixth from 50 or more yards. But they served only to keep the Giants within striking distance for most of the game.
"Nine points is not acceptable," said running back Saquon Barkley. "We've got to be better. We've got to capitalize on opportunities. We've got to be better as a whole starting with myself."
"I feel like we're moving the ball well," said wide receiver Kenny Golladay, whose three catches for 37 yards were all in the first half. "At the end of the day, we just didn't execute the way we needed to. They were able to blitz us a little bit. And we've just got to do a better job as an offense as a whole."
View all the action from the Week 13 matchup between the Giants and Dolphins in Miami.
Miami Dolphins free safety Eric Rowe (21) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Pharaoh Cooper (83) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Justin Coleman (27) tackles New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (83) evades a tackle by Miami Dolphins cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) stands on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a field goal as punter Riley Dixon (9) holds during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants nose tackle Austin Johnson (98) stand on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge fist bumps wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (20) runs on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) walks on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) aims a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) grabs Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) for a sack during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants linebacker Elerson Smith goes after Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
DL Leonard Williams, DL Austin Johnson, DL Dexter Lawrence
QB Mike Glennon
TE Evan Engram
S Xavier McKinney
DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Leonard Williams
DL Dexter Lawrence
T Andrew Thomas
DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Leonard Williams
WR John Ross
QB Jake Fromm, QB Mike Glennon
DL Leonard Williams
QB Mike Glennon
DL Austin Johnson, DL Dexter Lawrence
S J.R. Reed
QB Jake Fromm
QB Mike Glennon, RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Chris Myarick, LB Elerson Smith
DB Logan Ryan
DL Dexter Lawrence
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Jake Fromm
S Xavier McKinney
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Jake Fromm
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Mike Glennon
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
Mike Glennon
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
WR Darius Slayton
T Korey Cunningham
WR Darius Slayton
WR Darius Slayton
OL Billy Price
WR Kenny Golladay
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Darius Slayton
WR Darius Slayton
S Julian Love
RB Saquon Barkley
DL Quincy Roche
LB Tae Crowder
LB Oshane Ximines
QB Daniel Jones
S Julian Love
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Mike Glennon
QB Jake Fromm
G Will Hernandez
QB Mike Glennon
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Mike Glennon
QB Mike Glennon
TE Evan Engram
TE Evan Engram
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
QB Daniel Jones
WR Kenny Golladay
QB Jake Fromm
TE Evan Engram
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Darius Slayton
QB Jake Fromm
WR Kenny Golladay
DL Austin Johnson
DL Raymond Johnson III
LB Reggie Ragland
WR Kenny Golladay
LB Lorenzo Carter
DL Leonard Williams
DB Steve Parker
DL Dexter Lawrence
T Korey Cunningham
WR Darius Slayton
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Darius Slayton
DL Leonard Williams
DB J.R. Reed
T Andrew Thomas
LB Azeez Ojulari
LB Lorenzo Carter
WR Collin Johnson
DB J.R. Reed
LB Reggie Ragland
CB James Bradberry
T Andrew Thomas
LB Lorenzo Carter
QB Jake Fromm
T Andrew Thomas
P Riley Dixon
Niko Lalos (57)
Niko Lalos (57)
Niko Lalos (57)
Benardrick McKinney (49)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Will Hernandez (71), Cameron Brown (47)
Steven Parker
Keion Crossen (31)
Graham Gano (5)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Austin Johnson (98)
Brian Lewerke
Tae Crowder (48)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Alex Bachman
Korey Cunningham
Logan Ryan (23), Julian Love (20)
Cullen Gillaspia
Cullen Gillaspia
Xavier McKinney (29)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Sandro Platzgummer (34), James Bradberry (24)
Matt Peart (74)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Elerson Smith
Chris Myarick (41)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Niko Lalos (57), Blake Martinez (54)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Jarren Williams
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Mike Glennon (2)
Collin Johnson (15)
David Moa (96)
Danny Shelton (75)
Barkley led the Giants with 55 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a game-long 23-yarder, and six receptions, which gained 19 yards. Glennon completed 23 passes for 187 yards and was sacked three times. Evan Engram and Devontae Booker each had four receptions, and wide receivers Golladay, Pharoh Cooper and Darius Slayton combined for seven. The Giants again played without injured wideouts Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney.
If Glennon can't play, the likely starter would be second-year pro Jake Fromm, who was signed off of Buffalo's practice squad last week and has never played in an NFL regular-season game. Former Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke is on the Giants' practice squad.
Jones' status has not changed.
"He's going to continue being evaluated with the doctors and see where it goes," Judge said. "Again, we've got to trust what they say. We're not going to put any of our players in a position where they go out there and they're at risk. There's a difference - I tell you guys all the time. I'm going to ask a question of is it pain management or injury risk? When it's injury risk, that's not on my plate. When it's pain management, the player has to know to what level can they perform. We've got a lot of guys that are tough guys. I don't have to question our guys' toughness. But can they perform at the level through that pain management.
"Daniel is a guy that's been chomping at the bit to get back out there. We want to make sure the doctors give us the clearest picture of what his health and status is and what he's safe to do on the field. When he's ready to go, we'll put him out there."
While the offense continues to get most of the attention, the defense keeps performing admirably. The Dolphins scored on Tua Tagovailoa touchdown passes of five yards in the second quarter and two yards in the fourth, plus a pair of 48-yard field goals by Jason Sanders (who also missed a 52-yard try). Tagovailoa was at his best on the Dolphins' two touchdown drives, when he hit 16 of his 17 passes for 137 yards.
Miami didn't hit the 20-point mark until 1:11 remained in the game. The Dolphins gained 297 yards and averaged 2.7 yards a carry and 5.9 yards a pass attempt.
On the minus side, the defense did not force a turnover, ending the Giants' NFL-long streak (tied with Indianapolis) of 13 consecutive games with at least one takeaway.
"Miami's defense beat us in turnovers today (with one)," safety Logan Ryan said. "And I think getting the ball has been a big key to us winning games. Today, we didn't get one. If we don't get the ball, we're not going to win the games. So, we've got to go get them. And unfortunately, we didn't get it today."
After the game, the Giants flew to Tucson, Arizona, where they will practice this week at the University of Arizona. On Saturday, they will travel to Los Angeles to face the 7-5 Chargers.
"We're prepared to play some good defense, go get some turnovers, go score some points, support whoever's back there (playing quarterback)," Ryan said, "and get ready to have some fun on this trip and find a way to win on the west coast."
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