New York Giants: Three takeaways from 28-14 loss vs. Buffalo
By Ed Stein
Get open
Bennie Fowler was the best wide receiver the New York Giants dressed on Sunday. He entered the game with 77 career receptions since he joined the NFL in 2015. Also part of the receiving corps against Buffalo was Cody Latimer (49 rec since 2014), Russel Shepard (57 rec since 2014), Cody Core (30 rec since 2016), and the debuting TJ Jones.
Buffalo figured out that the only “threat” Big Blue had in their passing game was tight end, Evan Engram. The visitors double-covered him all game and he had a very hard time getting open. That is somewhat understandable as the Bills were not going to let Engram beat them.
The problem is that the other receivers couldn’t get open either. They didn’t have the same excuse as Engram because they were either single covered or faced a zone. Manning’s line gave him decent time all day but finding someone to throw to was another story. Then there were the drops, but that’s a different issue.
A lesson was taught by Buffalo and the Giants receivers should have paid attention to it. Cole Beasley caught four passes for 83 yards. He is a master of creating space and getting open.
Defenses will play more and more press coverage against this unit because no one can beat them to get open. Whether the Giants use short crosses or “inadvertent” picks to give their receivers a sliver of daylight, offensive coordinator David Shula needs to make some route adjustments.