Lack Of Defense Dragging Down New York Giants

One defensive stop. That’s all the New York Giants needed to protect a slim lead late in the game and seal what would have been an upset win and also give them their first victory since Week 5.

Tony Romo, who has a penchant for fourth quarter comebacks, stuck the dagger into the hearts of the Giants by leading a seven-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a perfectly thrown 13-yard pass to wide receiver Dez Bryant in the end zone. So what could have been a season-salvaging win ended up being nothing more than the sixth consecutive loss for Big Blue in the variety of a 31-28 victory for the Dallas Cowboys.

It has been a tough season for the defense, and although injuries and ill-timed turnovers and penalties on the offensive side of the ball have certainly contributed to the team’s 3-8 record, it is difficult to win when the only way it would become a reality is by way of a shootout.

The Giants have given up 20 or more points eight times, 30 or more in five different games and 40 on one occasion. Their opponents have been able to go on long and sustained drives basically at will and able to move the chains both on the ground and in the air. The lack of an effective pass rush has been one of the more glaring deficiencies, and the Cowboys’ final scoring drive magnified it even more. Romo had more than six seconds to remain in the pocket and wait for a receiver to get open.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged it in his post-game press conference, saying that the team would love to “do it over.” Like the majority of the season, no doubt.

Joe Pietaro is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MuscleSportMag, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.