For the 6th time in the last 7 years, the Giants have started the season out 0-2. But the 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears was not the largest loss for the Giants on Sunday, rather, Saquon Barkley’s season-ending ACL tear.
The Giants best player, and debatably the best RB in the NFL has been confirmed to be out for the season with a torn ACL, and partially torn meniscus, which will need to be surgically repaired. Additionally, Giants WR Sterling Shepard has been diagnosed with turf toe, and will miss at least 3 weeks after being placed on the short-term IR.
Before we jump ahead to preview the Giants matchup with the 49ers this upcoming Sunday, lets recap their Week 2 loss. The Giants fell behind early on as the Bears offense progressed down the field with ease. Quickly, it was 17-0 Bears, but the Giants’ offense was able to get going right before half, working their way into field goal range for Graham Gano, who missed a tough 57 yard field goal.
After the Giants were forced to punt on their first possession coming out of the half, tides changed towards the Giants direction, with an interception from second-year safety Julian Love, who caught a deflected ball from James Bradberry. This INT would turn into 3 points for the Giants, on a 39-yard field goal from Gano.
With points on the board, the Giants seemed to gain confidence, which was helped by the defense after they forced another punt. Starting on his own 5 yard line, Daniel Jones led the Giants on an 11 play, 95 yard drive, that was capped off by a 1 yard goal line touchdown for RB Dion Lewis, who was filling in for the injured Saquon Barkley. Momentum was clearly on the Giants’ side at this point, especially when free agent acquisition James Bradberry picked off Bears QB Mitch Trubisky after ripping the ball out of Allen Robinson’s hands at the sideline. Starting on their own 35, the Giants drove down to Chicago’s 19 yard line, but had to settle for another field goal, which would put them down by just 4 after trailing 17-0.
The Giants defense needed a stop to get the ball back to their offense, but they couldn’t quite get one as Chicago led a 5:41 drive that ended in a missed 50-yard field goal. Although the Giants were able to get down to Chicago’s 10 yard line, they weren’t able to put the ball in the endzone, and ultimately ran out of time, sealing their 0-2 start.
49ers
A must-win for the Giants is coming up on Sunday, against the injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers. Many of the key contributors to the 49ers success last season are confirmed to be out for this game, including DE Nick Bosa, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB Raheem Mostert, WR Deebo Samuel, CB Richard Sherman, DE Solomon Thomasm and RB Tevin Coleman. Although the Giants will be without Saquon and Shepard, they must take advantage of a weakened 49ers, and earn their first win of the season.
Additionally, news broke today that RB Devontae Freeman has inked a one year deal to be Saquon’s replacement. This has potential to be a great signing, but don’t look for him to play much in week 3, as he is just learning the playbook.
TheDyspatch 