The Giants.com crew reacts to Sunday's 38-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams:
John Schmeelk: For the first 15 minutes of the game on Sunday, things looked promising. The Giants started the game by driving 73 plays on 14 plays for a field goal. The red zone failure was disappointing, but it was still a good start against one of the better teams in the NFL. The Giants even gained two first downs on their next drive but failed to convert a 4th-and-1, which proved to be a turning point for the offense – it gained one first down the rest of the half.
The Giants' defense looked like last year's unit in the first quarter. Despite allowing a 30-yard catch by Cooper Kupp on its second play from scrimmage, the defense forced Los Angeles into a 3rd-and-10 before a sack by Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence ended the drive. On the Rams' next drive, Williams sacked Stafford on a 3rd-and-4 to force a punt.
The two stops were a combination of good coverage in the secondary that force the quarterback to hold the ball, with pressure up the middle from the talented defensive line. It is exactly how the defense was designed to function, and it worked on the first two drives. The Giants led, 3-0, and had the ball to start the second quarter.
Then everything fell apart. The Rams scored touchdowns on four of their next five drives, including two on short fields after Giants turnovers deep in their own territory. The Giants have not been able to extend their short periods of strong play this year nor dam the water once it starts flowing.
Dan Salomone: "Unacceptable" was a word assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Patrick Graham used earlier in the week about their performance in Dallas. The same word came out of the mouth of defensive co-captain Logan Ryan, standing at the podium still in his full uniform, after the latest loss to the Rams. There are many reasons to explain why the Giants have been outscored, 82-31, over the past two games (177-114 on the season), but there's only one way to describe it.
"I'm extremely disappointed," Ryan said. "It's not acceptable. I mean, honestly, it's not acceptable and that's just it. I think we had to go out there the second half and fight the best we could and try to earn some respect back, but it just hasn't been acceptable—the results, so it's not good. It's not good for the fans, it's not good for anybody outside the building, it is not good inside the building. It just hasn't been acceptable and I'm going to do everything I can to try to change that and make that better one step at a time."
Lance Medow: If there's one thing plaguing the Giants through the first six games of the season, it's the lack of complementary football. There have been games where the offense has produced and the defense struggled and vice-versa, but very rarely have we seen both facets deliver results simultaneously - Sunday's loss to the Rams was no different. On each of Los Angeles' first two drives, the Giants' defense forced the Rams to punt but New York's offense couldn't capitalize by finishing drives. On the very first possession of the game, the Giants marched to the 11 and settled for a field goal; and on their next possession, they turned it over on downs by failing to convert on a 4th-and-1 at their own 41. They produced 104 total yards of offense in their first two drives but only had three points to show for it. When you go up against a team averaging 28 points per game, those results won't cut it.
On the Giants' next six possessions through halftime, they managed just 12 total yards with three turnovers and three punts. The Rams had takeaways at the New York 12 and 14 and scored two touchdowns.
Los Angeles' offense scored 28 points in the second quarter alone and the Giants couldn't keep pace. During one stretch between the second and fourth quarters, the Giants committed at least one negative play (penalty, sack, negative run, turnover) on six of their seven possessions.
And by day's end, the Rams had scored 21 points off four takeaways.
Check out the best photos from the New York Giants' Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants' Kyle Rudolph lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Rams' Jalen Ramsey, top, tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Los Angeles Rams' Jalen Ramsey, top, tackles New York Giants' Sterling Shepard during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams, right, and Dexter Lawrence celebrate a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp, right, tackles New York Giants' Xavier McKinney after McKinney intercepted a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) runs the ball after he intercepted it during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp, right, tackles New York Giants' Xavier McKinney after McKinney intercepted a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) runs the ball after he intercepted it during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) runs against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) runs against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The New York Giants, left, line ups against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan, left, tackles Los Angeles Rams' Tyler Higbee during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Former New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning is seen holding the 2011 Super Bowl Championship Lombardi trophy during a half-time ceremony honoring the team on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
The Vince Lombardi trophy is seen during a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the New York Giants 2011 Championship Team during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin speaks during a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team during halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
The New York Giants honor the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team with former wide receiver Victor Cruz and former linebacker Zak DeOssie at halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
The New York Giants honor the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team with former defensive end Justin Tuck in attendance at halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin walks on field with former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning during a half-time ceremony honoring the 2011 Super Bowl Championship team on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin speaks during a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team with former wide receiver Victor Cruz and former defensive back Antrel Rolle at halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
New York Giants' Kyle Rudolph, left, catches a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants' Kyle Rudolph runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Rams' Jordan Fuller (4), right, tries to tackle New York Giants' Dante Pettis during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Dante Pettis runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants free safety Jabrill Peppers (21) warms up before taking on the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) warms up before taking on the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard warms-up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones warms-up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
LB Tae Crowder
LB Tae Crowder, HC Joe Judge
LB Tae Crowder
CB James Bradberry
LB Tae Crowder
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Daniel Jones
WR Kadarius Toney
DB Keion Crossen
WR Sterling Shepard
QB Daniel Jones
DL Leonard Williams
WR Kadarius Toney
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
DB Logan Ryan
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Adoree' Jackson
S Xavier McKinney
CB Darnay Holmes
WR John Ross, QB Daniel Jones, WR Dante Pettis
CB Adoree' Jackson
WR Collin Johnson
WR Dante Pettis
WR John Ross
WR Dante Pettis
WR Collin Johnson
WR Dante Pettis
HC Joe Judge, Rams STC Joe DeCamillis
DB Logan Ryan
WR Dante Pettis
WR Sterling Shepard
WR John Ross
TE Kyle Rudolph
DB Logan Ryan
WR Dante Pettis
WR John Ross
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Dante Pettis
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR John Ross
WR Sterling Shepard
DL Austin Johnson
T Nate Solder
T Andrew Thomas
LB Carter Coughlin
CB James Bradberry
FB Cullen Gillaspia
CB Darnay Holmes
RB Gary Brightwell
WR Kadarius Toney
LB Reggie Ragland
TE Evan Engram
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Sterling Shepard
DB Logan Ryan
DL Dexter Lawrence
P Riley Dixon, LS Casey Kreiter
S Jabrill Peppers
DL Leonard Williams
QB Daniel Jones
LB Oshane Ximines
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