The New York Giants saw their three-game winning streak come to a screeching halt in Week 15. They went on the road to play against the New Orleans Saints and for the first time with Tommy DeVito as the quarterback, the issues that plagued them earlier in the season showed up.
A big reason that the Giants found some success with DeVito under center was that Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka were able to build a game plan accentuating his strengths. He was able to push the ball down the field because the offensive line was holding up in pass protection.
Pressure was taken off of him with Saquon Barkley performing at a solid clip as well. But, all of the success the team was having in previous weeks came crashing back to the mean. After not allowing a single sack against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 14, DeVito was sacked seven times by the Saints.
NFL News & Rumors: Brian Daboll, Bobby Johnson, Tommy DeVito, New York Giants Updates
Some credit does need to be given to DeVito for sticknig with it and showing some toughness. He was crushed on more than a few occasions, but the only time he came out of the game was when he had to be checked for a concussion.
Overall, he completed 20-of-34 passes for 177 yards without a touchdown or a turnover. That is similar production to what he has been providing the Giants in previous weeks, he was just unable to manufacture as many scoring drives as New Orleans stuffed Barkley time after time.
Ultimately, their lack of scoring did come down to the offensive line having a tough day at the office. Unfortunately for the Giants, this is nothing new this season. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, New York is leading the NFL in sacks allowed by a wide margin.
The Giants have allowed 76 sacks on the season, with DeVito being sacked 27 times in his five starts. That is an astronomical number even with one of the starts including zero sacks. DeVito, like Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor before him, have been getting pressure relentlessly.
The next closest team to the Giants is their MetLife co-tenants, the New York Jets. The Jets have allowed 61 sacks on the season, while their offensive tackle, Mekhi Becton, has surrendered a league-high 11 on his own. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Daboll’s former team, the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed only 19 sacks this season, due in large part to Josh Allen’s escapability.
NFL News & Rumors: Brian Daboll, Bobby Johnson, Tommy DeVito, New York Giants Updates
If the Giants are going to find any success in 2024, regardless of who is under center, the offensive line needs work. They have committed a ton of assets to the group, which should turn the attention to the coaching staff.
Based on the team’s production in the trenches, something needs to be done with offensive line coach Bobby Johnson. New York has two top-seven picks at the tackle spots, a second-round pick at center and a veteran free agent addition at guard.
Adding one more interior lineman to the mix probably wouldn’t hurt. But, continuing to dump more assets into the group isn’t a realistic expectation. At some point, the coaching staff has to do their job developing this group and get the most out of the players here.
These were high-profile prospects and solid veterans before coming to the Giants. Checking in and seeing how players who departed are doing this season, such as Jon Feliciano with the San Francisco 49ers, is another indictment against the job the coaching staff is doing.
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