QBs are Too Comfortable vs. the Giants Defense

Once is happenstance. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a pattern.

This saying characterizes the state of the Giants defense right now. For three straight games to start the season, their performance has been troubling.

It isn’t just that they’re giving up a lot of points. It’s that the attribute they are supposed to be defined by - that is, the ability to create chaos - has been completely lacking so far.

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme is based on the blitz. It’s supposed to make quarterbacks uncomfortable, force bad decisions, and lead to sacks. Yet through their first three games, the Giants have just two sacks and have failed to generate one turnover while leading the league in blitz frequency.

Against the 49ers on Thursday, Martindale threw the kitchen sink at quarterback Brock Purdy, blitzing him an astounding 85% of the time according to PFF. Against those pressures, Purdy completed 19 of 31 passes for 252 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 108.5.

To quote an old Yankees manager, “It’s not what you want.”

A year ago, the Giants didn’t have the health or the players in their secondary that could handle being left an an island behind the blitz so often. This season, that wasn’t supposed to be as much of an issue. Unfortunately, not much has changed thus far.

The Giants’ next 4 games are against the Seahawks, Dolphins, Bills, and Commanders. Each of those teams has a passing game that will pick the Giants apart if they can’t get any pressure on the quarterback. Whatever the issue is with their blitz schemes - whether it’s the coverage behind it, the disguise, or the design of the pass rush - they need to get it corrected soon. Otherwise, this season could spiral out of control in a hurry.