New York Giants First Quarter Season Grades

Passing Defense Grade: B-

Oct 4, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills guard Kraig Urbik (60) tries to block New York Giants defensive tackle Jay Bromley (96) as Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) looks to throw a pass during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Giants beat the Bills 24 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants have the worst passing defense in the NFL if you are going by yards, ranking last with 316 yards allowed per game and 26th with 68.1 percent completed against them. But, when digging deeper, the numbers aren’t as bad as the yards are making it out to be.

For instance, they are allowing teams to only work in front of them and not get behind them for big plays. The Giants are allowing 7.2 yards per attempt, which is middle of the road in the NFL, a much improved standing from the last place yardage allowed. Also, their longest pass play allowed on the season is 41 yards, which is tied for the fourth shortest thus far in the NFL. They are also 11th in opponent’s passer rating, so the last place in yards allowed doesn’t tell the whole story.

The biggest problem for the pass defense has been the inability to get consistent pressure on quarterbacks. The Giants are blitzing a ton, and it just isn’t working. They have only five sacks on the season, which is tied for second least in the NFL. Without Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants have no premier pass rusher, as their defensive end rotation is stronger against the run.

The Giants do deserve credit for the patchwork they have done in the secondary though. Safety was a huge concern coming into the season, but Brandon Meriweather has stabilized the group along with rookie Landon Collins. Collins has struggled at times in coverage, which was expected, but does he sure know how to lay the lumber in the middle of the field.

Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have been great on the outside as well at cornerback. Both are great in coverage as the leaders of this unit. Amukamara leads the team with six passes defended, as the Giants have totaled 24 thus far through four games; that is tied for second in the NFL. The Giants are also an opportunistic group, getting five interceptions so far, with Uani Unga leading the way with two.

This unit hasn’t been as bad as advertised, and should only get better as the season goes on and the younger players gain more experience.

Next: Run Defense Grades