SPORTS

Last season, the New York Giants secured a place in the playoffs, and notably achieved a postseason victory for the first time since Eli Manning's second Super Bowl triumph. This achievement brought great satisfaction to Giants supporters, and rightfully so.

The Giants appeared to have made a highly successful appointment with the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year, Brian Daboll. Additionally, Daniel Jones performed well throughout the season, leading to his re-signing with the team on a significant contract. Furthermore, the Giants successfully resolved the Saquon Barkley situation, providing him with a modest increase from the franchise tag that had previously caused him dissatisfaction. These developments generated a justified sense of anticipation for the upcoming season.

Subsequently, the commencement of the games ensued. Regrettably, the Giants exhibited a performance that positioned them amongst the most underperforming teams in football, further exacerbating their predicament with a disheartening 24-3 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the Seahawks' subpar display and the temporary absence of their starting quarterback, Geno Smith, due to a knee injury during the second quarter, they managed to convincingly triumph over the Giants. In the latter stages of the third quarter, with a 14-3 deficit, the Giants had an opportunity to reestablish their presence in the game. They advanced deep into Seahawks territory, only for Jones to commit a costly interception. This ill-fated play was seized upon by the Seahawks' rookie cornerback, Devon Witherspoon, who had an exceptional performance, returning the interception an impressive 97 yards for a touchdown. This particular sequence epitomizes the Giants' overall season thus far.

The Giants' recent performance has been lackluster, with the exception of a remarkable second-half comeback against the Arizona Cardinals, preventing them from starting the season with an 0-4 record. Regrettably, the Giants have struggled in the other 14 quarters of the season, displaying a subpar performance. Furthermore, the Giants' offense has been ineffective, with a score of 77-9 against them in the first half of games, making them the only NFL team without a first-half touchdown. Typically, coaches, particularly those with an offensive background like Daboll, excel in the first half by scripting plays for the beginning of the game. However, Daboll's strategy has not been successful thus far.

The absence of Barkley, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, proves to be detrimental. Similarly, the unavailability of standout left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was also inactive due to injury, is an underappreciated setback. However, it is worth noting that other teams have encountered injuries and yet have successfully scored a touchdown in the first half of their games this season.