【N.J】 Giants use Graham Gano’s massive leg to beat Panthers, begin 2-0 for first time since 2016 – New Jersey News

For those who’re available in the market for Rembrandts and Picassos, the 2022 New York Giants aren’t the NFL artists you’re on the lookout for. For those who’re on the lookout for a group that exhibits grit and resiliency, then you definately undoubtedly need to take a better take a look at rookie coach Brian Daboll’s squad.

After squandering landing alternatives early within the recreation, the Giants watched a 6-0 lead flip right into a 13-6 deficit within the third quarter Sunday at MetLife Stadium earlier than they rallied and pulled out a 19-16 win over the Carolina Panthers of their residence opener.

At one level throughout the pleasant afternoon, it appeared as if defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s plea for the Giants’ followers to make a distinction by making noise was blowing up within the residence group’s face.

Boos, in truth, began cascading down from the stands shortly after DJ Moore burned rookie cornerback Cor’Dale Flott for a few lengthy good points, together with a 16-yard landing early within the third quarter. These boos grew a bit of louder when the Giants failed to achieve a yard on the primary two performs of their ensuing possession.

However on a third-and-10 play from the Giants’ 25-yard line, Daniel Jones delivered a 15-yard strike to Richie James and a change appeared to go off for the quarterback and the complete offense.

Saquon Barkley, bottled up for 5 yards on three carries within the first half, adopted with a 16-yard run. Jones discovered James once more for 12 yards, then related with tight finish Tanner Hudson for 15 yards. Two performs later, Daniel Bellinger caught his first profession landing move, a 16-yarder, and the Giants have been even.

From there, kicker Graham Gano grew to become the star of the sport for the Giants.

Early within the fourth quarter, Gano related from 51 yards out to offer his group a three-point lead. After the Panthers bought even on their ensuing drive, Gano made maybe the most important kick of his New York tenure by drilling an ideal subject objective from 56 yards out, to make it 19-16.

From there, the protection bought a cease and the offense did precisely what it wanted to on its last possession, operating out the clock on massive good points by Jones and Barkley.

The win, nonetheless, didn’t come with out an enormous loss. Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams left halfway by way of the third quarter with a knee harm.

Regardless of a stunning begin from particular groups and the protection, the Giants’ offense delivered one other first-half clunker. Jones and firm failed to attain within the first half on opening day towards the Titans and might need once more of their residence opener if not gifted with some excellent subject place.

Energized by the group’s opening-day win, the sellout crowd was able to erupt after the sport opened with a brilliantly orchestrated play by the particular groups. Chubba Hubbard took the opening kick 25 yards earlier than absorbing an enormous hit from reserve linebacker Carter Coughlin that jarred the soccer unfastened.

Rookie security Dane Belton, on the primary play of his NFL profession, recovered the fumble and the Giants began their residence season with the ball on the Carolina 22-yard line.

Three performs later, the Giants have been settling for a 36-yard subject objective by Gano and the primary alternative to get the group into an uproar had handed.

The second alternative, nonetheless, got here in a rush. Carolina’s first offensive possession ended with Baker Mayfield finishing a move to Robbie Anderson that was nicely in need of the 22 yards the Panthers wanted for a primary down. However as a substitute of simply forcing a punt, cornerback Darnay Holmes pressured a turnover, stripping the ball from Anderson. Adoree’ Jackson recovered on the Panthers’ 40 and once more the offense had a brief subject.

The Giants’ second possession regarded promising as Jones took the offense to the Carolina 2-yard line, however the quarterback misplaced six yards on a designed run on second down and was sacked for a seven-yard loss on third down. One other Gano subject objective made it 6-0.

By the top of the half that slim lead was gone because the Panthers, who have been additionally offensively challenged, additionally settled for a few subject targets. When the Giants fell behind early within the third quarter, the attractive day might have turned it right into a catastrophe. As an alternative, the Giants discovered a option to win and improved to 2-0 for the primary time since 2016.

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Bob Brookover might be reached at rbrookover@versuszone.com.