Giants keep responding to scores with points of their own

Don’t wake the sleeping Giants. 

The way the Giants have punched back after getting hit in the mouth is the defining characteristic of the back-to-back upset victories over the Packers and Ravens that have elevated their season from a nice underdog story to evaluating playoff scenarios. 

Discounting a safety intentionally taken on special teams, the defense has allowed eight scores — four touchdowns and four field goals — in the last two games. The offense has responded by scoring on the ensuing possession six out of eight times. 

“We talk about having each other’s back,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “The defense does a great job for us of holding teams. We try to respond when we can to help them out.” 

It’s as if Resiliency Dust is sprinkled on the sideline whenever an opponent threatens to gain too much momentum.

The Giants’ average drive when responding to a score is nine plays for 48.1 yards. Remove the two failed responses (both three-and-outs) and their average retaliation is 11 plays for 62.3 yards, with 34 total points scored. Compare that to the average numbers from 10 offensive possessions after a defensive stop: five plays for 18.3 yards, with 17 total points. 

“I wouldn’t say it’s magic. It’s the edge we play with,” Thomas said. “It’s a gritty bunch. A lot of people here have been thrown out, [are on] second chances. We work hard here, and I think that shows up on Sunday.” 

The Giants are the fourth team ever — and the first since 1993 — with three comeback wins from double-digit deficits in their first six games. The formula is matching a score with a score to keep games close, as receiver Darius Slayton and backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor noticed. 

“I’ve got a running joke going with Tyrod that they score and we go and get it right back,” Slayton said. “I don’t know what the reason for that is, but it’s great complementary football. Our defense does a great job keeping them out of the end zone, which makes your job a lot easier on offense. That’s the goal, though. Get an answer quick.” 

Coach Brian Daboll attributes it to “good execution.” 

“You can’t focus on the scoreboard or what’s happening with the other side of the ball, or in the kicking game,” Daboll said. “You have to be prepared and execute, and those guys along with [offensive coordinator Mike] Kafka calling the plays have done a good job with that.” 

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Daboll said the Giants should be “in fairly good shape” without any serious injuries suffered Sunday. 

OLB Oshane Ximines said he tweaked his quad on Julian Love’s interception but declared himself “all right.” 

RB Saquon Barkley (shoulder) could get extra rest during practices because of the beating he takes on game days. 

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to Wednesday,” Daboll said. “We’ll have some conversations about it, but Saquon is a tough customer.… He’ll get his treatment and be ready to go.” 

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Safety Xavier McKinney harassed scrambling Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson into throwing the game-turning interception to Love, but he might have been most excited about his three offensive snaps in the victory formation after Barkley slid to the ground to run out the clock rather than scoring a late touchdown. McKinney was the last line of protection in case of a disastrous fumble. 

“I knew beforehand, but it was surprising because I didn’t know when we were going to do victory formation,” McKinney said. “I’m happy Saquon didn’t score.”