Giants @ Saints
Final Score: Giants 27, Saints 21
Writer: Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)
The New Orleans Saints were finally able to have a home game with the fans back and drew the New York Giants. This game was missing Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, and Michael Thomas. It was a big offensive game for both teams; A return to prominence for Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay looked elite, and Taysom Hill scored two TDs. The game was good all the way through and saw the Giants come back in the 4th quarter to tie the game and eventually win in overtime. The game result was New York Giants 27, New Orleans Saints 21.
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: 28/40, 402 yards, 2 TD, INT | 4 carries, 27 yards
Daniel Jones with a DEEP Touchdown to John Ross!!!! pic.twitter.com/heGtiaKImo
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 3, 2021
Daniel Jones started off rocky but gave us a hell of a finish to this game. He really didn’t get going till the third drive where he connected with Kenny Golladay for 27 yards, setting up a field goal attempt. A missed field goal by the Saints set up a 51 yard TD from Jones to John Ross, with the receiver almost fumbling it in the endzone. Jones finished the half with a hail mary interception that no one will hold against him.
The second half started off the same way, with Jones needing a few drives to get going. The Giants then got a gift, as Jones found a wide-open Saquon Barkley for a 54 yard TD. This was the start of a great comeback, as the next drive saw Jones connect with Kenny Golladay on a short pass that ended up going for 28 yards. This would set up the game-tying field goal.
Overtime started with Jones going back to Ross for 17 yards. He followed that up with a dump-off pass to Barkley that got taken for 18 yards. The next big play came from a Jones to Golladay 23 yard catch and run, setting up a game-winning TD run by Barkley. Jones was elite when he had to be and showed us glimpses of why he was drafted so high.
Running Back
There goes @saquon! #TogetherBlue
📺: #NYGvsNO on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/i2TJQNjddK— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
Saquon Barkley: 13 carries, 52 yards, TD | 6 targets, 5 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Devontae Booker: 1 carry, 6 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Saquon Barkley was an absolute beast late in this game. The former first-round pick was having a tough time until he busted a 54 yard TD catch and run. Without that, he has 4 receptions for 20 yards and without the overtime TD, Barkley only has 12 carries for 46 yards. Overall it was great to see Barkley back to old form in some way shape or form. He’ll need to get more consistent to pay off for fantasy football, but it was nice to see him have a two-TD game.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Kenny Golladay: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 116 yards
Kadarius Toney 9 targets, 6 receptions, 78 yards
John Ross: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 77 yards, TD
Evan Engram: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 27 yards
Kyle Rudolph: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 24 yards
KENNY GOLLADAY WANTS THIS WIN!!
What a play from Golladay — awesome here #NYG pic.twitter.com/aq6XcLbhjX
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) October 3, 2021
Kenny Golladay looks good now that he’s the focal point of the offense. He was key to just about every major scoring drive on the day, including catching a 23-yard pass to set up the game-winning TD. His best play was catching a five-yard pass that he took for 28 yards. This play helped set up the game-tying field goal.
Kadarius Toney was as advertised today, as in his first start we saw Toney run for 50 yards after the catch. Putting that into perspective, he had 78 total yards, and just about two-thirds of those yards were created after the ball was in his hands. This to me sounds like a guy who will see more diverse reps in the future and might become the full-time gadget player for the Giants.
John Ross (yes, THAT John Ross) showed up in this game, showing off his incredible speed on a 52 yard TD catch. There’s a very real chance Ross could carry value going forward this season. The tight ends were relatively ineffective but did receive 9 targets. Kyle Rudolph had the biggest impact, catching a 20 yarder that helped set up a field goal.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Jameis Winston: 17/23, 226 yards, TD
Taysom Hill: 2/3, 9 yards, INT | 6 carries, 28 yards, 2 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards
JAMEIS WINSTON DIME 🎯🎯🎯
pic.twitter.com/mi3SgCNNFi— PFF (@PFF) October 3, 2021
Jameis Winston has turned over a new leaf in New Orleans, but one starts to wonder if that’s good for fantasy football? Today, Winston took 4 drives to get started. On the 1st Saints scoring drive Winston utilized his vertical game by connecting with Ty Montgomery for 19 yards. This set up a 15 yard TD to Juwan Johnson that tied the game. Coming back from the half, Winston started the second half with an absolutely fantastic 58-yard bomb to Marquez Callaway. This set up the first of Taysom Hill‘s two rushing TDs, which was particularly awesome because he broke about seven tackles on his way to the endzone.
Taysom Hill just went full BEAST MODE. https://t.co/ILctiFyDTv
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 3, 2021
The very next drive almost had the same outcome, as Winston started to look really good throwing it deep. He connected with Montogmery for 21 yards, setting up a 46-yard bomb to Kenny Stills which was called back on a holding call. The next play was an interception from Taysom Hill that just didn’t have the zip that Jameis’ ball has. On the next drive, the Saints started on the 48 of the Giants, and Jameis connected with Hill for a 15-yard catch and run. This would set up the second of Hill’s TD runs and this one was for 8 yards.
Taysom Hill ladies and gentleman! You need more than one guy to bring him down!#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/L9FaRFVhEV
— Cougs in the Pros 🤙🏼 (@BYUpros) October 3, 2021
After this drive, the Saints couldn’t get much going and the Giants took the game in overtime with a TD. Not allowing Winston back on the field, this game is eye-opening to how effective this offense can be, and how unreliable the starting parts can be for fantasy football.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: 26 carries, 120 yards, TD
Tony Jones: 3 carries 8 yards | 3 targets, 1 reception, – 3 yards
Taysom Hill just went full BEAST MODE. https://t.co/ILctiFyDTv
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 3, 2021
Alvin Kamara had a great day on Sunday, going for 120 yards on the ground. He was particularly effective on inside runs and was consistently eating up yards on every drive. Kamara’s biggest run on the day was a 10 yarder, but there were plenty of nine-yard runs on the day. Today was dominated by Taysom Hill as he vultured all the big TD runs in this game. Another note on the day was that backup RB Tony Jones Jr. was taken off the field on a medical cart with an ankle injury.
Today gave us insight into how Kamara can be used going forward, and how he can still be very relevant with receiving yards. Also with Jones going down, we’ll probably start seeing more Hill on goal-line situations. At this point, he’s not a waiver wire candidate until he gets a WR/RB tag.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Marquez Callaway: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 74 yards
Deonte Harris: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 52 yards
Juwan Johnson: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 20 yards, TD
Chris Hogan: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 20 yards
Adam Trautman: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
Jameis goes deep for Marquez Callaway! #Saints
📺: #NYGvsNO on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/RuTjEHF7R7— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
The New Orleans Saints offense is a well-oiled machine that can make big plays anytime Jameis is on the field. Marquez Callaway had two targets and made the most of both of them, with a 58-yard catch and a 16 yarder. Deonte Harris was utilized particularly well in short-distance throws, often taking screens for extra yards. It’s nice to see him using his speed in the intermediate/short distances. If he continues to get this type of role he could become a good addition for PPR leagues. Taysom Hill was all over the field, and as a receiver he caught two passes for 26 yards, proving that he could be a big threat in this offense. Juwan Johnson found himself in a great place, catching a 15 yard TD.
— Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)