The Giants’ only offensive highlight was actually a mistake
It is not a good sign when the most exciting and eye-opening play comes with the ball in the hands of the punter. That is the sad reality of the Giants in Sunday’s 17-0 loss to the Titans at MetLife Stadium.
It happened late in the second quarter. On fourth-and-10 from the Giants 41-yard line, punter Riley Dixon intended to boot the ball away before he bobbled and double-clutched a perfect snap from Zak DeOssie. That hesitation convinced Riley he could not get the kick off and he took off, running 14 yards to pick up the first down.
“You got to have the ball kicked before your guys go down field, so I just assumed it was a little late for all that and I had an opportunity to help the team and get a first down and that’s what I did,’’ Dixon said. “I saw they were all running in the other direction, recognized there was a hold-up scheme and they were trying to set up a return. I just decided to follow ’em back and get a first down.’’
What could have been a big play turned into just a footnote, as the Giants ran out of time. Dixon got to the Titans 45-yard line with only 12 seconds remaining before halftime before an incomplete Eli Manning pass and then a sack.
“He improvised,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said of Dixon. “Worked out well. Sometimes things go your way.’’
Shurmur successfully challenged a touchback call early in the second quarter and soon after threw the challenge flag a second time, contesting Derrick Henry stepped out of bounds on his 22-yard run down the left sideline. The Giants did not win the second challenge.
“I saw obviously that the guy’s foot was out of bounds,’’ Shurmur said. “The explanation I got was, ‘Well, that’s not what the TV had.’ I don’t know where it came from, but obviously I saw that his foot was out of bounds.’’
The unsuccessful challenge left Shurmur with no challenges the remainder of the game.
“My view of it was out of bounds,’’ Shurmur said. “I think that should be zero risk in my mind.’’
The last time the Giants were shut out at home was almost exactly five years ago: Dec. 15, 2013, when they were blanked by the Seahawks 23-0. It was the first shutout for the Titans since the 2000 season.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel, from the Giants 31-yard line late in the second quarter, wanted to give his punter some extra room and instructed Brett Kern to take a delay-of-game penalty. Shurmur, though, declined the penalty. Undeterred, the Titans again were called for a delay-of-game penalty, which by rule is unsportsmanlike conduct and a loss of 15 yards.
John Greco moved in at center in the third quarter after Spencer Pulley was forced out with a calf injury. Pulley left the locker room wearing a protective boot on his left ankle. … Special teams CB Antonio Hamilton (quad) left in the third quarter and did not return.
