The New York Giants appeared destined for another ugly loss on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, falling into a 7-0 hole after just 11 seconds. The team could have quit and crumbled, but that’s not what transpired.
Behind a swarming defense and solid offensive play, the Giants rallied, stabilized things, and eventually closed out a 21-15 victory.
It wasn’t a thing of beauty in the second half but it was enough to accomplish their goal. They avoided the dreaded 0-3 start and are frustratingly a Week 2 kicker away from being 2-1 and leading the NFC East.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the Week 3 victory? Let’s take a look.
Stock up: LB Azeez Ojulari
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There are many directions to take here but linebacker Azeez Ojulari deserves his flowers. He was all over the field on Sunday afternoon, creating chaos against both the run and the pass. He blew up several inside runs while also producing a number of key pressures (and one sack) while spelling both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. If this is the kind of play the Giants can get from their rotation, they’re in good shape.
Stock down: RB Eric Gray
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Entering the season, Eric Gray appeared to be No. 2 behind Devin Singletary but that role has quickly vanished. Not only has Gray taken a back seat to rookie Tyrone Tracy, but he continues to struggle as a return man. In addition to his one carry for zero yards on Sunday, Gray fumbled the opening kickoff and set the Browns up for an immediate touchdown. However, at some point, Gray’s special teams struggles are not longer on him but the coaches.
Stock up: WR Malik Nabers
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Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is something special. He’s like the ideal mix of Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson, and Plaxico Burress. His routes are impressively sharp for a first-year player, his field awareness is unparalleled, and his body control is elite. The statistics and NFL records are all very impressive but it pales in comparison to what you see on tape — even when the ball doesn’t go his way. Nabers has true All-Pro superstar potential.
Stock down: CB Deonte Banks
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Cornerback Deonte Banks did a nice job against Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin over the first two weeks of the season but he couldn’t stop Amari Cooper on Sunday afternoon. Banks was roasted for two touchdowns — one of them non-competitive — and became Deshaun Watson’s prime target late in the game. Even on Cleveland’s final offensive play, Watson targeted Banks and managed to get a pass by him only to have it dropped by Cedric Tillman. The Giants need more from their second-year corner.
Stock up: DC Shane Bowen
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After back-to-back ugly performances, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen decided to switch things up and incorporate the blitz. It worked to perfection on Sunday as the Giants recorded 17 QB hits, 8.0 sacks, and five tackles for a loss. Perhaps Bowen was merely attacking the injury-riddled Cleveland offensive line or perhaps he learned he needs the blitz to help his young secondary. Either way, it was a major step up from the previous two weeks.
Stock down: K Greg Joseph
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Maybe it’s not fair to put kicker Greg Joseph in this spot after just one week with the team but he very nearly cost the Giants the game. Sure, a 48-yard boot isn’t necessarily a gimme but completely shanking it warrants some criticism.
If Joseph appearing in the “stock down” section seems unjust, how about we give an honorable mention to return man Ihmir Smith-Marsette for repeatedly calling fair catches inside the 10-yard line?
