Giants Collapse vs. Broncos: What Just Happened?

The Giants stormed into Mile High field yesterday, riding the high of a huge win over the rival Eagles on prime time last week, and in a prime let-down spot, they started hot, jumping out to a 19-0 lead over the Broncos heading into the final 15 minutes. I, like many other fans, was almost stunned. Could this really be? What’s going on in New York? Jaxson Dart looks like the real deal, and even after his first-quarter dime to Wan’Dale Robinson after scrambling around, I found myself thinking: Am I crazy for thinking playoffs are possible?

The Giants took the number one defense in terms of EPA per play, and made it look pedestrian for most of the day. They did exactly what I said they’d need to do to win in my preview. On offense, Jaxson Dart did some damage with his legs by extending plays, and the tight ends and running backs both had good games. On defense, Brian Burns added two more sacks, and the Giants pressured Bo Nix all afternoon, or at least for ¾ of an afternoon.

All right, that’s enough beating around the bush; let’s get to the collapse. It felt like things were going too well, the Giants had cleared out part of Mile High, and then it all came crashing down. The defense became passive, and that’s strike two for Shane Bowen; twice now he’s taken his foot off the gas and essentially cost the Giants a game. Add in a bad interception from Jaxson Dart, two ricochet touchdowns, and a second missed extra point from Jude McAtamney, and you have the perfect storm that leads to a historic 33-point 4th quarter from Denver. 

The players were rightfully solemn after the game, but there was an edge of anger, especially from Dart and the defense. Dart I feel positively about. You can tell he’s a competitor, and he truly despises losing. That’s something we as fans can relate to, and it makes me like him even more. The defense feels like it could all come apart. They don’t seem to care for their coordinator, evidenced by Burns’ post-game rant. 

This is honestly the type of game that makes or breaks a team. If the Giants have the right mental makeup, we’re going to find out when they hit the road to take on a Philly team that is looking to wash the bad taste out of their mouths from two weeks ago. In a division that’s more open than it might seem, everything could still be on the table for this team. I know it’s painful to feel a game slip away like that, but there are enough positives to take away from yesterday that I still feel good about where the Giants are headed. 

One last thing, though: it’s Younghoe Koo time.