September 7, 2025 • 14 mins
Madelyn Burke and Shaun O'Hara react to the Giants week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time to get inside the Giants huts. Let's go,
Let's go, Gis. Do I like it out on the
Giants Moubul give me some June. Part of the Giants
Podcast Network's role.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome into a Week one rapid reaction on the Giants
Huddle Podcast. The Huddle is brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the New York Giants. From game
day celebrations to your everyday financial needs, Big Blue fans
can get the most out of every moment with Citizens.
Learn more at citizens bank dot com. Slash Giants for
your Week one rapid Reaction. Madelenburg here with the Super
(00:32):
Bowl champion Sean O'Hara Shawn. The Giants went down to
the DMV, taking on the Commander's final score twenty one
to six in favor of Washington. Giants taking the loss
and we've won. A big storyline in this one, though,
of course, was the offensive struggles.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah, the offense did not have any rhythm really, and
it kind of felt like they were uphill all game long.
I thought they really struggled to run the football early on. Obviously,
you know when you start out early on in the
game and you can't punch it in the one yard line.
There's a little bit of a defeat in that. And look,
they went for they were aggressive early on, went forward
(01:08):
on fourth down and two or three whatever it was,
fourth and goal, and they got bailed out by the penalty.
And when that happened, you thought, all right, they're definitely
going to get a touchdown out of.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
This, right and you get a fresh set of downs
at the one yard line. You get a penalty there
and you're still unable to punch it in. That's a
troubling Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Three bad plays and to have them right there on
the one yard line. You know they settle for a
field goal, and look, six points in a game. You're
not gonna win any NFL games, Like you're not going
to win a baseball game with six runs sometimes, so
you've got to have points. And that's been the narrative
I feel like we've talked about every time that we
come on here after loss, it's we need more points,
(01:44):
need more points. So I think that is frustrating and
disappointing if you're a Giants fan and you're watching that
game or saying, man, it feels like the same thing
that I saw over again. It's like Groundhog Day. I
will say it's tricky.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Though, because you look at talking about need more points.
We're just coming off a preseason in which the Giants
were three and now they put up one hundred and
seven points in those three games, and then week one
of the regular season they're settling for field goals. They
put up six. And yes, regular season and preseason are
different ballgames a little bit. But you know, one of
the things that really worked for this Giants team, it
felt like, was screen passes. We didn't really see the
(02:18):
screen game much in this one.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, not a lot of screens. But I think that's
why everybody is so disappointed, is because you saw those
points and I don't care if it's preseason or regular season.
There was execution there. Yeah, it was execution in the blocking.
There was execution in you know, the route combos and
the passes. So the lack of execution from that is
why I think everybody's frustrated with the lack of points
(02:42):
and that production aspect of it. But the blocking is
something that needs to get better. And I think you
know there was times where you would run the ball
on first down, or you know, you have a bad
play on first down, and now it's second and long,
third and long, and this offense is not built to
really overcome third and twelve times. So I think that
was that was frustrating. And you know, when you look
(03:05):
at the missed opportunities, you know, not just in the
first half. You know, there were there were times where
you know, you felt like, all right, the offense started
to get some rhythm and now here we go, and
then something happens and they just never overcame that. So
I think that's that's kind of tough. The run game
was to me one of the most disappointing things because
(03:25):
I thought Tyrone Tracy, after what he did last year
and burst onto the scene and became the number one
running back, I thought they were going to lean on
him a lot more. And you know, for Russell Wilson
to be the leading rusher with forty four yards, yeah
and one and fifteen yards of that was on a
big scramble that that's not why you brought Russell Wilson here.
You didn't bring him here to run the football. You
didn't bring him here to be your leading rusher. So, uh, look,
(03:48):
camp Scataboo, he showed that he's a tough guy. To
take take down. You get all of a sudden, now
that guy's a wrecking ball.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
First of all, his first play of the game was
throwing a filthy sick block that helped Malik Yeah, that reception,
and then the very next game he runs and trucks
through three defenders like a bowling ball. Physicality and toughness underscore. Right,
Their angry runs are going to be featuring this man
quite a bit this season, I'd imagine on NFL Network.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Yeah, I think he's he's going to have a T shirt.
You know, he's going to have a weekly T shirt
because he's got that ability. And he was one of
those guys that was, as advertised, that's who we thought
we were drafting, and he showed up and gave us
exactly who we thought he was going to be. So look,
that was a big part of it. I thought Wandell
Robinson had a good game, you know, I thought he
(04:36):
did a really nice job. There was a there was
a third down that he knew exactly where the sticks
are as soon as he caught the ball, got vertical,
got up, got the first down. He's continuing where he
picked up where he left off last year as being
really their third down target, and I think he led
the league in third down receptions last year, so he's
kind of back on track with that Neighbors. Look, he
made some spectacular catches. I thought there was most of
(04:59):
the day too. Yeah, and I think he's gonna have
to get used to that like that. There's gonna have
to be somebody that steps up because Neighbors is taking
that that. You know, he's got the safety over the
top for the help, and they're taking him out of
the game. They're saying, we don't think you can beat
us with somebody else, So until we prove them wrong,
you're gonna see that same type of coverage. Look, I
thought Washington had a really good defensive game plan. They
(05:21):
had a really good passing defense last year. They picked
up right where they left off. And Marshall Lattimore, look,
he's he's one of those lockdown corners. So that was
a really good matchup. Basically, whoever he was on was
out of the equation. And then they double Neighbors, So
now you kind of need your third option. But this
is Week one, you know, I think there's a lot
(05:42):
that you have to go back and correct and learn
from and say all right, this is what we need
to do better. But I think I don't. I don't
look at this game metal and say, wow, Washington really
beat the Giants. I feel like the Giants kind of
beat themselves in a lot of different ways.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Get in here, if you're lined up here, they got
to go over the middle with at the score great,
how do we make that happen?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
I don't know, Bud Citizens, does it makes sense of
your money with citizens Official Bank of Eli manning well?
Speaker 2 (06:11):
And to your point too, Washington left the door open
quite a bit for the Giants. They had twelve penalties
for eighty nine yards. You know, Washington, you know, backing
it up that much gives the Giants a lot of opportunity.
The Giants also found themselves in some short yards positions,
in some red zone situations that they were not able
to execute as well. And that you know, it was
(06:32):
fourteen to six with twelve minutes left in the game.
That's a winnable game. And then you know, you heard
from some of the defensive players afterwards that just, you know,
things just kind of fell apart. That last drive. Washington
put together a long drive with some big chunk plays
in it were able to extend the lead to twenty
one to six, and then that was kind of curtain
call for that that moment right there. But we got
(06:54):
to give a little bit of credit to this Giants
defense as well, because a lot of excitement coming into
the sea about the pass rush. We saw Brian Burns
with two sacks in about three plays and Abdul Carter
and Kavon Thibodeau going in half a sack each right
there as well. What did you see from the pass
rush here?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Yeah, I thought they did a good job of finishing
the sacks. You know, there's too many times where even
last year, you know, the first game down in Washington
in Week two, we sacked him five times, and then
you look back at the second time that they played him,
they really didn't sack them at all, and there were
blitzers they got there and couldn't get him down. So
I thought Brian Burns did a great job of keeping
(07:34):
contained as he rushed him, and you know, obviously he
had a big game two sacks. He also created a
holding penalty against their rookie right tackle Josh Connery, so
he was look he came to play and I thought
he was a huge factor on defense. I thought Keavon
Thibodau did a really good job against the run. He
had a half sack. He and Aduel Carter shared that.
(07:56):
But I thought Kaveon Thibodau he looked very authoritative whenever
he was at the point of attack in the run game,
and I thought he got in the backfield a couple
of times created some pressure. Abdul Carter, I mean he
was all over the field. He was lined up over
the center, over the guards, he was over the tackle.
So they definitely continue with that theme of moving him around.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
He even made play on special teams, getting a hand
on a ball when Treswaye was trying to punt it
and affecting the punt there little.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yeah, There's not many defensive ends that have that kind
of explosive get off like he does and that ability
to run that circle. So that showed up. He also
created a holding penalty as well. So look, I thought
the pass rush, look it showed up and they were
ready to play. They didn't. There was too many times though,
where the Giants only rushed four guys and Jane Daniels
(08:46):
was able to step up into the pocket and find
a way to get a first down with his legs,
and I think that's something that you know, you go
into a game plan and you say, look, we need
a spy rusher. We need somebody that's going to keep
him from hurting us on third and ten or second
to fifteen getting a big twelve yard run, Like, you
can't let that keep happening. So I think that was
something that was frustrating. And then when the Giants did
(09:07):
play his own defense, you know, they did not get
pressure with that front four, and Jane Daniels really made
them pay with that because he had a lot of
deep crossing routes along the middlefield to both Terry McLaurin,
you know, really to Deebo Samuel. He was one of
the guys that kept hurting in the middlefield and the
zach Ertz as well.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, and I mean Jade Daniels is a very elusive quarterback.
So to be able to get to him take him
down three times in the game, it is something not
to scoff at. Right, there's the year and it's.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Not like, you know, Joe Burrow.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Was running around and this is and this is a
Washington Commander's team that was in the conference championship. Game
last season. So this is, you know, not your commanders
of five years ago whatever. This is a team that
has pedigree and success, recent success, and so the Giants
have a lot of learning opportunity out of this one.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
If you want to know how to manage two minutes
of crunch time football, I'm your Matt. But if you're
wondering about a long term financial.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Plan, you should the Citizens.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Hey, I can also talk long care. I'd like to
learn about anoliar Teae.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Yes I knew I could help makes sense of your
money with Citizens.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
But they have another division matchup next week. Because Week
two we turned the page and the Giants are headed
down to the Dallas to play the Cowboys. Cowboys who
also lost in Week one, falling to the Eagles on
Thursday Night Football. Very different opponent here, Dak Prescott a
very different type of quarterback than Jayden Daniels. Of course
we saw on Thursday Night Football. You know, passing game
(10:30):
could have gotten a little bit better if Ceedee Lamb
had come down with some of those catches for the Cowboys.
What is your initial takeaway or your initial theme of
this Week two matchup for the Giants.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
I think for the Giants. They have to start fast.
You know, this is so paramount, and we talk about
it. It is a cliche. Hey, we're on the road. We
want to start fast. Look, Giants did not start fast
against Washington, and yet they were still in the game.
The fact that it was fourteen to six. You know,
if they don't start fast down in Dallas, they're going
to be down twenty one or nothing. Because Dallas scored
on their first four possessions against phillip They scored two
touchdowns and two field goals. So right out of the gate,
(11:03):
you know Dallas is good. They're slinging it around the yard.
And now that with George Pickens and Ceedee Lamb, now
you've got two big studs outside, two big targets, guys
that can go up and get the ball. Look, Brian Shannon,
I mean Brian Settannimer. He's a run first kind of
officsive coordinator. And who knew Javonti Williams was going to
(11:24):
be this good again, this quick for Dallas. Obviously, he
was a really good running back in Denver for a
long time and then tore up his knee, and you know,
he has been a tough guy to bring down I mean, look,
Philadelphia had the best defensive the league last year and
they struggled to take him down. I think they had
one hundred and twenty yards rushing as a team against Philadelphia,
So this is a this is a two headed monster. Offensively,
(11:47):
they can run it and they can throw it. It's
going to be a challenge Offensively, you've got to find
a way to score points in the red zone. You
got to punch it in. You're not going to be
Dallas at home by kicking field goals.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Right and especially, Yes, the Cowboys are without Michael Parsons,
who they traded to the Packers just before the start
of the season, but they do still have a defense
despite that, And I know it's a big loss on
defense for the Cowboys, but it is still something that is,
you know, a formidable opponent for this team, and it
is a division opponent, and getting a division win in
the first two weeks of the season would be imperative
(12:21):
if you want to start strong on this twenty twenty
five campaign.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Yeah, they've got to do that. I mean, look, you
don't want to start out zero and two. That's tough
in the division, and this is the best division in
the NFL right now, So a great opportunity to go
down there. Defensively, they're going to have the handsful of
the offense. I think, you know, the pass rush is huge.
This Cowboys offensive line. They've got four first round picks
(12:44):
on that offensive line, so they have invested heavily in
that offensive line. So this this pass rush for the
Giants is going to have to have a big game.
They're going to have to be a big factor. You know,
we hope that Michael McFadden is going to be okay. Obviously,
losing him is a big blow. I thought Darius muis
out did a good job filling in for him, kind
of having to get thrown out there on a whim
(13:06):
and that's the NFL. But listen, you gotta have points.
I think that's the biggest thing. Start fast. I think
the run game needs to be more impactful. And I
think that's one of the things that whenever you go
down and you're on the road, you're going to have
to deal with a sound count on third down. When
I first and second down, If you can kind of
quiet the noise a little bit by running the ball,
(13:26):
that will help.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Establish the run early. And as you mentioned, Mike McFadden,
Giants linebacker left the game early, was carved off the
field with his right leg in an air cast. He
did return to the sideline with his foot in a boot.
Didn't return to the game, but was out there with
his teammates, so that's a good sign. We'll have more
clarity on that injury later this week and as well
as left tackle Andrew Thomas is coming back from a
(13:48):
list frank injury he suffered in October of last season.
Did practice a bit this week, but was not quite
game ready so did not play. Was inactive for Week one.
We'll see what his status is going into Week two
at Dallas. A lot of injury news to monitor and
we will keep you posted with all of that on
Giants dot Com and Giants podcast platforms everywhere and all
(14:11):
of your Big Blue programming. But that's a wrap for
your Week one rapid reaction with a Super Bowl champ
Sean O'Hara. I'm Madeline Burke. This is the Giants Huddle Podcast,
brought to you by Citizens, the official bank of the
New York Giants. From game day celebrations to your everyday
financial needs, Big Blue fans can get the most out
of every moment with Citizens Learn more at citizens bank
dot com. Slash giants
It's time to get inside the Giants huts. Let's go,
Let's go, Gis. Do I like it out on the
Giants Moubul give me some June. Part of the Giants
Podcast Network's role.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Welcome into a Week one rapid reaction on the Giants
Huddle Podcast. The Huddle is brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the New York Giants. From game
day celebrations to your everyday financial needs, Big Blue fans
can get the most out of every moment with Citizens.
Learn more at citizens bank dot com. Slash Giants for
your Week one rapid Reaction. Madelenburg here with the Super
(00:32):
Bowl champion Sean O'Hara Shawn. The Giants went down to
the DMV, taking on the Commander's final score twenty one
to six in favor of Washington. Giants taking the loss
and we've won. A big storyline in this one, though,
of course, was the offensive struggles.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Yeah, the offense did not have any rhythm really, and
it kind of felt like they were uphill all game long.
I thought they really struggled to run the football early on. Obviously,
you know when you start out early on in the
game and you can't punch it in the one yard line.
There's a little bit of a defeat in that. And look,
they went for they were aggressive early on, went forward
(01:08):
on fourth down and two or three whatever it was,
fourth and goal, and they got bailed out by the penalty.
And when that happened, you thought, all right, they're definitely
going to get a touchdown out of.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
This, right and you get a fresh set of downs
at the one yard line. You get a penalty there
and you're still unable to punch it in. That's a
troubling Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Three bad plays and to have them right there on
the one yard line. You know they settle for a
field goal, and look, six points in a game. You're
not gonna win any NFL games, Like you're not going
to win a baseball game with six runs sometimes, so
you've got to have points. And that's been the narrative
I feel like we've talked about every time that we
come on here after loss, it's we need more points,
(01:44):
need more points. So I think that is frustrating and
disappointing if you're a Giants fan and you're watching that
game or saying, man, it feels like the same thing
that I saw over again. It's like Groundhog Day. I
will say it's tricky.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Though, because you look at talking about need more points.
We're just coming off a preseason in which the Giants
were three and now they put up one hundred and
seven points in those three games, and then week one
of the regular season they're settling for field goals. They
put up six. And yes, regular season and preseason are
different ballgames a little bit. But you know, one of
the things that really worked for this Giants team, it
felt like, was screen passes. We didn't really see the
(02:18):
screen game much in this one.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, not a lot of screens. But I think that's
why everybody is so disappointed, is because you saw those
points and I don't care if it's preseason or regular season.
There was execution there. Yeah, it was execution in the blocking.
There was execution in you know, the route combos and
the passes. So the lack of execution from that is
why I think everybody's frustrated with the lack of points
(02:42):
and that production aspect of it. But the blocking is
something that needs to get better. And I think you
know there was times where you would run the ball
on first down, or you know, you have a bad
play on first down, and now it's second and long,
third and long, and this offense is not built to
really overcome third and twelve times. So I think that
was that was frustrating. And you know, when you look
(03:05):
at the missed opportunities, you know, not just in the
first half. You know, there were there were times where
you know, you felt like, all right, the offense started
to get some rhythm and now here we go, and
then something happens and they just never overcame that. So
I think that's that's kind of tough. The run game
was to me one of the most disappointing things because
(03:25):
I thought Tyrone Tracy, after what he did last year
and burst onto the scene and became the number one
running back, I thought they were going to lean on
him a lot more. And you know, for Russell Wilson
to be the leading rusher with forty four yards, yeah
and one and fifteen yards of that was on a
big scramble that that's not why you brought Russell Wilson here.
You didn't bring him here to run the football. You
didn't bring him here to be your leading rusher. So, uh, look,
(03:48):
camp Scataboo, he showed that he's a tough guy. To
take take down. You get all of a sudden, now
that guy's a wrecking ball.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
First of all, his first play of the game was
throwing a filthy sick block that helped Malik Yeah, that reception,
and then the very next game he runs and trucks
through three defenders like a bowling ball. Physicality and toughness underscore. Right,
Their angry runs are going to be featuring this man
quite a bit this season, I'd imagine on NFL Network.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Yeah, I think he's he's going to have a T shirt.
You know, he's going to have a weekly T shirt
because he's got that ability. And he was one of
those guys that was, as advertised, that's who we thought
we were drafting, and he showed up and gave us
exactly who we thought he was going to be. So look,
that was a big part of it. I thought Wandell
Robinson had a good game, you know, I thought he
(04:36):
did a really nice job. There was a there was
a third down that he knew exactly where the sticks
are as soon as he caught the ball, got vertical,
got up, got the first down. He's continuing where he
picked up where he left off last year as being
really their third down target, and I think he led
the league in third down receptions last year, so he's
kind of back on track with that Neighbors. Look, he
made some spectacular catches. I thought there was most of
(04:59):
the day too. Yeah, and I think he's gonna have
to get used to that like that. There's gonna have
to be somebody that steps up because Neighbors is taking
that that. You know, he's got the safety over the
top for the help, and they're taking him out of
the game. They're saying, we don't think you can beat
us with somebody else, So until we prove them wrong,
you're gonna see that same type of coverage. Look, I
thought Washington had a really good defensive game plan. They
(05:21):
had a really good passing defense last year. They picked
up right where they left off. And Marshall Lattimore, look,
he's he's one of those lockdown corners. So that was
a really good matchup. Basically, whoever he was on was
out of the equation. And then they double Neighbors, So
now you kind of need your third option. But this
is Week one, you know, I think there's a lot
(05:42):
that you have to go back and correct and learn
from and say all right, this is what we need
to do better. But I think I don't. I don't
look at this game metal and say, wow, Washington really
beat the Giants. I feel like the Giants kind of
beat themselves in a lot of different ways.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Get in here, if you're lined up here, they got
to go over the middle with at the score great,
how do we make that happen?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
I don't know, Bud Citizens, does it makes sense of
your money with citizens Official Bank of Eli manning well?
Speaker 2 (06:11):
And to your point too, Washington left the door open
quite a bit for the Giants. They had twelve penalties
for eighty nine yards. You know, Washington, you know, backing
it up that much gives the Giants a lot of opportunity.
The Giants also found themselves in some short yards positions,
in some red zone situations that they were not able
to execute as well. And that you know, it was
(06:32):
fourteen to six with twelve minutes left in the game.
That's a winnable game. And then you know, you heard
from some of the defensive players afterwards that just, you know,
things just kind of fell apart. That last drive. Washington
put together a long drive with some big chunk plays
in it were able to extend the lead to twenty
one to six, and then that was kind of curtain
call for that that moment right there. But we got
(06:54):
to give a little bit of credit to this Giants
defense as well, because a lot of excitement coming into
the sea about the pass rush. We saw Brian Burns
with two sacks in about three plays and Abdul Carter
and Kavon Thibodeau going in half a sack each right
there as well. What did you see from the pass
rush here?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Yeah, I thought they did a good job of finishing
the sacks. You know, there's too many times where even
last year, you know, the first game down in Washington
in Week two, we sacked him five times, and then
you look back at the second time that they played him,
they really didn't sack them at all, and there were
blitzers they got there and couldn't get him down. So
I thought Brian Burns did a great job of keeping
(07:34):
contained as he rushed him, and you know, obviously he
had a big game two sacks. He also created a
holding penalty against their rookie right tackle Josh Connery, so
he was look he came to play and I thought
he was a huge factor on defense. I thought Keavon
Thibodau did a really good job against the run. He
had a half sack. He and Aduel Carter shared that.
(07:56):
But I thought Kaveon Thibodau he looked very authoritative whenever
he was at the point of attack in the run game,
and I thought he got in the backfield a couple
of times created some pressure. Abdul Carter, I mean he
was all over the field. He was lined up over
the center, over the guards, he was over the tackle.
So they definitely continue with that theme of moving him around.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
He even made play on special teams, getting a hand
on a ball when Treswaye was trying to punt it
and affecting the punt there little.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Yeah, There's not many defensive ends that have that kind
of explosive get off like he does and that ability
to run that circle. So that showed up. He also
created a holding penalty as well. So look, I thought
the pass rush, look it showed up and they were
ready to play. They didn't. There was too many times though,
where the Giants only rushed four guys and Jane Daniels
(08:46):
was able to step up into the pocket and find
a way to get a first down with his legs,
and I think that's something that you know, you go
into a game plan and you say, look, we need
a spy rusher. We need somebody that's going to keep
him from hurting us on third and ten or second
to fifteen getting a big twelve yard run, Like, you
can't let that keep happening. So I think that was
something that was frustrating. And then when the Giants did
(09:07):
play his own defense, you know, they did not get
pressure with that front four, and Jane Daniels really made
them pay with that because he had a lot of
deep crossing routes along the middlefield to both Terry McLaurin,
you know, really to Deebo Samuel. He was one of
the guys that kept hurting in the middlefield and the
zach Ertz as well.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, and I mean Jade Daniels is a very elusive quarterback.
So to be able to get to him take him
down three times in the game, it is something not
to scoff at. Right, there's the year and it's.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Not like, you know, Joe Burrow.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Was running around and this is and this is a
Washington Commander's team that was in the conference championship. Game
last season. So this is, you know, not your commanders
of five years ago whatever. This is a team that
has pedigree and success, recent success, and so the Giants
have a lot of learning opportunity out of this one.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
If you want to know how to manage two minutes
of crunch time football, I'm your Matt. But if you're
wondering about a long term financial.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Plan, you should the Citizens.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Hey, I can also talk long care. I'd like to
learn about anoliar Teae.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Yes I knew I could help makes sense of your
money with Citizens.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
But they have another division matchup next week. Because Week
two we turned the page and the Giants are headed
down to the Dallas to play the Cowboys. Cowboys who
also lost in Week one, falling to the Eagles on
Thursday Night Football. Very different opponent here, Dak Prescott a
very different type of quarterback than Jayden Daniels. Of course
we saw on Thursday Night Football. You know, passing game
(10:30):
could have gotten a little bit better if Ceedee Lamb
had come down with some of those catches for the Cowboys.
What is your initial takeaway or your initial theme of
this Week two matchup for the Giants.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
I think for the Giants. They have to start fast.
You know, this is so paramount, and we talk about
it. It is a cliche. Hey, we're on the road. We
want to start fast. Look, Giants did not start fast
against Washington, and yet they were still in the game.
The fact that it was fourteen to six. You know,
if they don't start fast down in Dallas, they're going
to be down twenty one or nothing. Because Dallas scored
on their first four possessions against phillip They scored two
touchdowns and two field goals. So right out of the gate,
(11:03):
you know Dallas is good. They're slinging it around the yard.
And now that with George Pickens and Ceedee Lamb, now
you've got two big studs outside, two big targets, guys
that can go up and get the ball. Look, Brian Shannon,
I mean Brian Settannimer. He's a run first kind of
officsive coordinator. And who knew Javonti Williams was going to
(11:24):
be this good again, this quick for Dallas. Obviously, he
was a really good running back in Denver for a
long time and then tore up his knee, and you know,
he has been a tough guy to bring down I mean, look,
Philadelphia had the best defensive the league last year and
they struggled to take him down. I think they had
one hundred and twenty yards rushing as a team against Philadelphia,
So this is a this is a two headed monster. Offensively,
(11:47):
they can run it and they can throw it. It's
going to be a challenge Offensively, you've got to find
a way to score points in the red zone. You
got to punch it in. You're not going to be
Dallas at home by kicking field goals.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Right and especially, Yes, the Cowboys are without Michael Parsons,
who they traded to the Packers just before the start
of the season, but they do still have a defense
despite that, And I know it's a big loss on
defense for the Cowboys, but it is still something that is,
you know, a formidable opponent for this team, and it
is a division opponent, and getting a division win in
the first two weeks of the season would be imperative
(12:21):
if you want to start strong on this twenty twenty
five campaign.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Yeah, they've got to do that. I mean, look, you
don't want to start out zero and two. That's tough
in the division, and this is the best division in
the NFL right now, So a great opportunity to go
down there. Defensively, they're going to have the handsful of
the offense. I think, you know, the pass rush is huge.
This Cowboys offensive line. They've got four first round picks
(12:44):
on that offensive line, so they have invested heavily in
that offensive line. So this this pass rush for the
Giants is going to have to have a big game.
They're going to have to be a big factor. You know,
we hope that Michael McFadden is going to be okay. Obviously,
losing him is a big blow. I thought Darius muis
out did a good job filling in for him, kind
of having to get thrown out there on a whim
(13:06):
and that's the NFL. But listen, you gotta have points.
I think that's the biggest thing. Start fast. I think
the run game needs to be more impactful. And I
think that's one of the things that whenever you go
down and you're on the road, you're going to have
to deal with a sound count on third down. When
I first and second down, If you can kind of
quiet the noise a little bit by running the ball,
(13:26):
that will help.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Establish the run early. And as you mentioned, Mike McFadden,
Giants linebacker left the game early, was carved off the
field with his right leg in an air cast. He
did return to the sideline with his foot in a boot.
Didn't return to the game, but was out there with
his teammates, so that's a good sign. We'll have more
clarity on that injury later this week and as well
as left tackle Andrew Thomas is coming back from a
(13:48):
list frank injury he suffered in October of last season.
Did practice a bit this week, but was not quite
game ready so did not play. Was inactive for Week one.
We'll see what his status is going into Week two
at Dallas. A lot of injury news to monitor and
we will keep you posted with all of that on
Giants dot Com and Giants podcast platforms everywhere and all
(14:11):
of your Big Blue programming. But that's a wrap for
your Week one rapid reaction with a Super Bowl champ
Sean O'Hara. I'm Madeline Burke. This is the Giants Huddle Podcast,
brought to you by Citizens, the official bank of the
New York Giants. From game day celebrations to your everyday
financial needs, Big Blue fans can get the most out
of every moment with Citizens Learn more at citizens bank
dot com. Slash giants
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