New York Giants Defense Shines In Win Over Los Angeles Rams
The New York Giants defense was the star of Sunday’s defeat of the Los Angeles Rams as the two teams went head to head in London. It was some much needs positive press for the Giants as they try to shake off the stink of kicker Josh Brown’s domestic violence issues that came to a head this week.
While many of the football fans in England had been gearing up for a show put on by Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Rams defense held him to a measly 49 yards. Spectators were in for a treat, however, with one of the most dynamic pick sixes of the NFL season this far when Giants safety Landon Collins intercepted a tipped ball and then shrugged off Ram after Ram to charge his way into the end zone
Just how they drew it up. https://t.co/KFrOU9bCfA
— Finish Line (@FinishLine) October 23, 2016
Collins would come up with the ball again in a nearly identical interception in the second half, with the Giants defense pulling in a total of four interceptions for the game, making some wonder if the Rams’ Case Keenum was the best quarterback the Giants had today.
The tip drill is obviously @TheHumble_21‘s thing.
INT #2.???? #NYGvsLA #GiantsPridehttps://t.co/k877lbvtg8
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 23, 2016
Giants quarterback Eli Manning completed 24 for 37 for a combined total of 196 yards with no touchdowns, according to NFL.com. While the numbers for Manning weren’t dismal, they weren’t phenomenal either. On a positive note, Manning and the Giants didn’t have any interceptions and only one lost fumble. The Rams, however, weren’t so lucky.
Case Keenum, while putting up some huge yardage, crushed the Rams dreams and fantasy league owners everywhere when he completed 32 of 53 passes for a total of 291 yards and one touchdown, but threw for four interceptions straight into the hands of the Giants defense, according to NFL.com. Two of those Giants interceptions occurred in the red zone ending any attempt at a Rams comeback. Keenum also had two fumbles and the Giants defense wasn’t about to let up, sacking the quarterback at least three times.
It was an impressive run for the Giants defense, which is ranked 19th overall. The matchup between the Giants and the Rams had experts divided as to who would come out the winner. While the Rams had a slightly better edge when it came to defense, ranking 17th, their offense was far down the football food chain at 31st as opposed to the Giants 12th place. Many expected the Rams would rely heavily on running back Todd Gurley, but the Giants defense held the L.A. team’s best rusher to only 57 yards on 15 attempts.
The Giants win capped off a controversial week for the team. ESPN reported earlier in the week that Giants kicker Josh Brown admitted in letters, emails, and journal entries to domestic violence toward his then-wife, Molly Brown, according to police documents. The Giants denied any knowledge of Brown’s domestic violence admissions and immediately placed the kicker on suspension, meaning New York would be flying to London with former Bears kicker Robbie Gould.
While the loss of a kicker may not seem like a huge deal in a game that can be decided by inches, some wondered if the Giants fate would rest in the feet of Gould. Another thing looming over the Giant’s heads was the loss of two safeties to injuries, which made some question whether or not the defense would be up to the test. As it turns out, Giants fans had no cause for worry. Landon Collins played with the tenacity of three safeties, and Gould hit both extra points and a field goal with ease.
The Giants now move to a 4-3 record, although they still stand fourth in the NFC East.
[Featured Image by Warren Little/Getty Images.]
