Takeaways from the Giants’ 12-7 win over the Titans at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
1. Well, it was not exactly a nor’easter but it was a windy and wet day for football. There were plenty of empty seats and that was not because Jaxson Dart is out for the season or because the Titans are not a marquee draw. Sometimes, fans do not want to sit out there for three hours in uncomfortable conditions. On the field, the wind did not seem to wreak too much havoc with the passing game — the struggles seemed more about the quarterbacks, Jameis Winston and Cam Ward, than the weather. After the raucous environment two weeks ago for the season-opening victory over the Cowboys, this was a far more subdued afternoon.
2. Malik Nabers looked quite excited, gesturing with full enthusiasm that he picked up the first down on a 12-yard reception on the first play of the Giants’ final possession in the fourth quarter. Nabers made the catch against former teammate Cor’Dale Flott, which must have felt good. As it turned out, that was Nabers’ longest reception of the game. He caught five passes for only 26 yards and was actually the most productive wide receiver (Darnell Mooney had 20 receiving yards and rookie Malachi Fields had 19). It was that sort of sluggish day for the passing attack. Sure, the weather was not conducive for long-range throws but there were enough throws by Jameis Winston that could have been completed that he failed to deliver. Games like this can frustrate wide receivers. It is something to monitor.
3. Coaching matters. Titans head coach Robert Saleh sent Joey Slye out to try a 59-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining in the first half. Yes, Slye was kicking with the wind and yes, he was hitting them from long distance in the pregame warmup. Still, it was not exactly a high-percentage play. The Titans were down 6-0 so they were right in this low-scoring affair. Punting the ball away would be fine. Slye had the distance but missed wide left, giving the Giants the ball on their 49-yard line. From there, all that was needed was two first downs to set Dominic Zvada up for a 39-yard field goal as time expired. Instead of being down one score, the Titans trailed 9-0. Big difference.
