NJ – EAST RUTHERFORD The Giants will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and Philadelphia the following week for their last two regular-season games at home, marking the first time that this has happened since 1996. (Note: The first of the two games in MetLife Stadium that year was a Jets home game.) Those last two games in ’96 were losses for the Giants.
The Giants had hopes of at least making the playoffs at this point when the schedule was announced in May. But with their Christmas Day loss to the Eagles, they were formally thrown out of the postseason celebration. With two straight losses and a 5–10 record, all they can hope for is a happy conclusion.
For the coaches and players, that serves as sufficient motivation.
“This is the NFL,” said Saquon Barkley, the running back. “Go compete; make an effort to win. Every week, the objective remains the same: go out and attempt to find a way to win the football game. Since we will obviously be returning home in two weeks, our goal is to maximize our performance in the remaining games of the season.
“I believe that everyone has a similar mindset and is sort of focused on competing; I believe it’s just the coaches’ (coach Brian Daboll’s) message to go out there and win. That’s the NFL’s main purpose. While it’s regrettable that we don’t have the opportunity to stay competitive and advance to the postseason, many folks would give anything to be in our shoes. You simply need to maintain that frame of mind, play at your best, and do your hardest to win, say, every other week.”
Tyrod Taylor, a 13-year-old quarterback, undoubtedly has a lot of motivation. It will be his first start since October 29 and his fourth game of the season. Taylor has a 27-27-1 record as a regular season starter (1-3 earlier in the season), and one would assume that he would like to improve his personal record over.500 in addition to his team goals.
“It’s not about me,” Taylor remarked. It’s a team sport, so I’m excited for our men to compete at a high level and put our best foot forward over the next two weeks. There’s always something to play for, playoffs or not, and that’s the attitude we need to have.”
Following a win over Green Bay two weeks prior, Tommy DeVito appeared destined to start the final four games of the season at quarterback. However, Daboll started Taylor in the second half of last week’s game because the offense was faltering. He later said that Taylor will start against the Rams.
Regarding his opportunity, Taylor remarked, “It means everything to me.” “I mean, it goes without saying that the work you do each and every week. I’ve been playing for a very long time, so it means the world to me to get a chance to lace on my cleats and compete. Being able to go out and prove to yourself what you can achieve, in addition to your peers, makes me the happiest. It’s what I love to do.”
Taylor completed seven of 16 throws for 133 yards in his two quarters of play on Monday, including the Giants’ biggest touchdown in over four years—a 69-yard strike to Darius Slayton. On the last play of the game, he made his sole interception of the season on a ball into the end zone.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said of Tyrod, “I think he did a great job just stepping up,” “He performed some impressive feats with the football and his legs, making some huge plays. I wasn’t taken aback. He did a great job filling in for us, and I believe he’s the kind of guy who will prepare and execute the task correctly.
“I think he does a lot; he’s been in the league for 13 years. Not just on the pitch, but also as a good teammate, a leader. In my opinion, Tyrod excels at organizing the team in the huddle, which is only one of the many aspects that make him unique aside from his quarterbacking abilities.”
Taylor will use his defensive tackle knowledge to his advantage. Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald will be prowling around a lot.
Daboll called it “one of the best to ever do it.” “Playing him is always problematic. He constantly finds a way to make plays, no matter how hard you try to gameplan for him. He’s amazing, one of the best defensive players.”
With an 8-7 record, five wins in their previous six games, and the postseason drive the Giants lack, the Rams travel to New Jersey. As the sixth-seeded team in the NFC, the Rams need to win both of their remaining games to secure a postseason berth, which includes a trip to San Francisco in Week 18.
One of the most successful offenses in the NFL will test the Giants defense. In his last five games, quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 14 touchdown passes and one intercepted pass.
Stafford is performing at a level that defensive coordinator Wink Martindale believes is comparable to that of a Hall of Fame player. “They have bonded well on the attack. When you watch Matthew’s throws, you can’t help but say, “Wow.” You’re watching him execute all the things you’ve read about, from various arm angles to no glances, and they’re playing at an extremely high level.
“The Rams have committed to the run game and have switched up their offensive line for this season, according to (Rams coach) Sean McVay. You now have to cope with a creature with two heads. They thus put you in a difficult situation where you have to decide what to try and how to try it.”
Both Kyren Williams (1,057 yards and nine touchdowns in just 11 games) and Puca Nacua (a rookie with 96 receptions for 1,327 yards and five scores) are already 1,000-yard rushers and receivers for the Rams. Demarcus Robinson and Cooper Kupp each had four touchdown catches.
According to cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, “that’s a talented group.” “A lot of people treat Sean McVay badly, but in my opinion, his play calling and play design are on par with the greatest. You have an outstanding quarterback who is a Hall of Famer and who understands the game. Kyren performs admirably. Dynamic offenses are those with a capable quarterback, a few receivers, and the ability to run the ball. That explains, as you can see, why they put so many points on the board.
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