No. 1: Giants Were Able to Slow Down Michael Thomas

The Giants were able to slow down the freight train that was Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Coming into this game, Thomas had 38 receptions on 40 targets in just three weeks.

He was on pace to get 165 receptions on the season, but his mission to get the most receptions in a season (Marvin Harrison holds the single-season record with 143 receptions in one year), was thrown a little off course in Week 4.

This can be credited to the play of Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins shadowed Thomas for the majority of the game, leaving no room for Thomas to get open.

Thomas finished the game with just four receptions for 47 yards. This isn’t the type of performance we’ve grown accustomed to in the last couple of years for Thomas.

Not many guys in the NFL can say they shut down a wide receiver like Thomas. Jenkins did that and some, leaving the Saints passing offense looking out of sorts.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees had just 219 yards through the air and no touchdowns (first game he failed to throw a touchdown in since Week 9 of last season). He still came out with the win, though, which is all that matters in the end (cue the Herm Edwards‘ “you play to win the game” rant).

The Giants secondary has played surprisingly well to begin this season, ranking as the ninth pass defense in the NFL, currently.

If only the pass rush and run defense could improve, this Giants defense could be a very formidable group to come across.

They may have lost the game, but the Giants deserve to get some credit for slowing down a guy like Thomas.