Giants defense defined by one major strength, one major weakness

One could argue the 2024 New York Giants defense has been a contraction of itself. They lead the NFL in sacks per game (3.6), which is one of the few pleasantries of this rocky season, and are sixth in red zone defense.

But they are deficient in other areas. Interceptions are one, for instance. They have just one pick over their first 10 games, tied for last in the league with Cleveland.

The Giants’ only pick has been by rookie linebacker Darius Muasau, not by any of the team’s talented young defensive backs. And that happened in garbage time of their Week 1 loss to Minnesota.

They have not picked off a pass since. That’s a total of nine games and they are now closing in on the longest interception drought in NFL history, per the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy.

Longest single-season defense INT droughts since 1933

2017 Raiders 10 games
2024 #Giants 9 games and counting

What has to change for #Giants100? https://t.co/VkOCR0oxXC

‘There’s no doubt about it: We’re close. They’re going to come. We aren’t going to rush them. We are going…

— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) November 15, 2024

The 2017 Raiders defense set the modern NFL record (since 1933) by going 10 straight games — a span of 357 passes — without an interception, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

One year later, the 49ers and Cardinals each endured an eight-game drought that has been eclipsed by the Giants, who will return from this week’s bye trying to avoid tying dubious history on November 24 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

No one can pinpoint exactly why the Giants have not been picking off passes this season. Safety Tyler Nubin, who leads all NFL rookies in tackles, was touted as a ball hawk coming out of college. He has no interceptions. Another high draft pick, cornerback Andru Phillips, has been highly-rated this season but has also come up dry.

“It’s something we have to continue to work at. We have to find ways,” Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said.

“They’re just throwing good balls. We’re not getting to them. That’s the best way I can answer that,” nose tackle Dexter Lawrence said. “I think we need to create more (takeaways) to have the offense have a short field and not worry about driving a long field. It’s our responsibility to go get the ball, so that’s what we have to do.”

The Giants are 28th in the league in passes defensed (29) but have only allowed the 10th most passing yards. They have allowed 12 passing touchdowns, which has been the league average.

In a season of mysteries and inexplicable events that have gone against the grain, this one continues to perplex.