{"id":83631,"date":"2025-12-29T16:28:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/83631\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T16:28:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:28:08","slug":"how-we-graded-big-blue-in-week-17-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/83631\/","title":{"rendered":"How we graded Big Blue in Week 17 win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dec. 29, 2025, 10:30 a.m. ET<\/p>\n

The New York Giants<\/a> avoided tying the franchise record for consecutive losses with their 34-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on the road Sunday.<\/p>\n

The win raised the Giants’ record to 3-13 on the season and knocked them from the top position in the 2025 NFL draft order. They are currently in the No. 2 spot.<\/p>\n

Here is how we graded the units in Sunday’s win.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/Offense<\/p>\n

The Raiders defanged themselves well before kickoff by placing All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby and top safety Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve (IR) last week. Their absence was extremely noticeable, and the Giants were able to slice them up pretty well. The Giants punted on their first two possessions and did not have to punt again for the rest of the game. They averaged 5.0 yards per attempt on the ground, went 6-for-13 on third down, 1-for-1 on fourth down, and 3-for-5 in the red zone.<\/p>\n

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Grade: B<\/p>\n

Defense<\/p>\n

The Raiders also IR-ed their best offensive weapon last week in tight end Brock Bowers. The Giants held the Raiders to just 63 yards rushing in the game and 3-for-13 on third downs. Pro Bowl defensive end Brian Burns recorded 1.5 sacks in the game, raising his total to 16.5 on the year. Bobby Okereke and Dane Belton had interceptions, and rookie linebacker Abdul Carter had a half-sack and four QB hits.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/p>\n

Special teams<\/p>\n

The highlight of the game was Deonte Banks’ 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at the end of the third quarter. Jamie Gillan only had to punt twice. One landed inside the 20, and the other was returned for no yards. Kicker Ben Sauls hit both field goal attempts and all four point-after attempts.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/p>\n

Coaching<\/p>\n

It’s been a challenge keeping this team focused in this lost season, but interim head coach Mike Kafka and his staff have done a fairly decent job. The decision to turn rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart loose was a good one, as Dart had a solid showing with two more rushing touchdowns. Special teams appear to have leveled out; kudos to the coaches. The discipline still needs work. The team drew eight accepted penalties, giving them 121 on the year, fifth-highest in the league.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/p>\n

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