|
(AP) Phoenix
The NY Giants strolled into Arizona with all the confidence of a 3-1 team only to be sliced and diced by a first-half buzzsaw in the likes of an Arizona passing offense led by DeShaun Watson (21-29 276yd and 4 TD) and his stable of sure handed receivers, only to mount a comeback on the back of J.K. Dobbins only to lose another heartbreaker as Joe Slye once again showed that the big stage was just a little too big as the game-tying extra point attempt was blocked with 5 seconds remaining, giving the Arizona Cardinals a hard fought 28-27 victory.
The Cardinals rode their high powered offense to run out to a 21-0 lead and went in at halftime over the NY Giants by a rather intimidating score of 28-7. Watson was pretty much unstoppable hitting a variety of targets at will. For the Giants, Baker Mayfield never looked comfortable all day throwing the ball into a lot of Dime Coverage as the Cardinals gameplan seemed to be daring the Giants to run the ball.
So after falling behind 28-7 that's just what the Giants did. A steady of diet of J.K. Dobbins brought NY to within 7 points and plenty of time with 9 minutes remaining. After punting it back and forth a couple times, Baker finally caught fire with 1:39 remaining and at their own 23 yard line. Baker went 5 of 6 with the big strike to Josh Reynolds for a 37 yard strike. A slant to Meyers for 12 yards followed by a Mayfield spike gave the Giants the ball with 10 seconds. A Dive to Dobbins made it 28-27 with :05 on the clock.
After some rather heated deliberation on the Giants' sideline it was decided to ride the change in 2nd half momentum and take the automatic extra point. As Giants fans are learning quickly, there is no 'automatic' for kicker Joey Slye. Slye took the perfect hold and drilled it into the Arizona defensive line. The ball never got above 6 feet and left the Giants' players stunned and grasping for any kind of 'silver lining' from this one.
In post game interviews, a calm and collected head coach, Ken McFeggan said 'In no way are we hanging our heads after this game. I was proud how they never game up and came back the way they did. Then the toll of a second straight heart wrenching loss began to pour out...and that 'tryouts for K are certainly a possibility at this point, I mean, c'mon, I have a team of warriors in that locker room that keep getting let down at the end by some skinny, scared of his shadow, field goal kicker...
it stinks man. It really stinks." When told of the coach's comments, Joey Slye mumbled something unintelligible through his tears.
Rumors are circulating that Urban Meyer is interested in the Giants' Special Teams position.
Not a 'good look'.
Both teams go to 3-2 on the season as Arizona travels to New Orleans for a breather while the Giants get to face the LA Rams at their place next.
|