NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Yup, it’s gotten to that point. Giants coach Tom Coughlin is sounding like a 6-year-old around the holidays, repeating, over and over, two little words: “I want.’’
Can you blame him? His Giants are 3-9 heading into another dregs-of-the-NFL matchup, this time Sunday afternoon against the unmighty Titans (2-10) at LP Field. The Giants are fresh off a 25-24 loss to the toothless Jaguars (who were 1-10) in Jacksonville. This all feels like consolation bracket stuff and has left Coughlin to list all the things he craves, but has yet to receive.
“I want to quit inventing ways to beat ourselves,’’ Coughlin said. “It’s the most incredible thing you’ve seen. There’s a lot to get done. I want to score some points. Since when is 21 points enough? It’s never enough. You’re playing against good teams. They’ve got players that can put it in the end zone.
“I want to stop somebody on defense. I want to react well to the running quarterback. I want to force the other team to turn the ball over. Hell, catch the ball when they throw it to you. I want to do all those things.
“I want to run a punt back for a touchdown. I want to run a kickoff back for a touchdown. I want to get a turnover from a special teams outfit. I want to get better as the game goes on, like it’s supposed to be.’’
Egad, that’s quite a wish list. Most of all, Coughlin and the Giants want to recall what it feels like to win a game, something they haven’t experienced in 63 days.
Much has happened since the long-ago 30-20 Week 5 victory over the Falcons. Columbus Day has come and gone. So has Halloween. We’ve bid adieu to Daylight Savings Time, cast our votes on Election Day, saluted heroes on Veterans Day, celebrated Thanksgiving.
The promise of 3-2 has become the curse of 3-9. The Giants have lost seven straight games and the last time they sagged to an eight-game losing skid was back in 2004, in Coughlin’s first year and the rookie season for Eli Manning.
The roster is nearly decimated. Will-he-or-won’t-he discussions regarding Coughlin returning in 2015 to finish out his contract has become a daily public discourse. Another matchup looms against another losing team. The minds of players can drift to their own situation, with personal survival sometimes trumping team goals.
“Guys lose jobs,’’ right tackle Justin Pugh said. “This is the time you have to go out there and make sure you are playing hard, but you don’t want to think about it that way either. That is such a negative thought. You go out there and play hard and have fun with your teammates.’’
Fun, like victories, has eluded the Giants this season.
Marquee matchup
Titans run defense vs. Giants run defense
Yeah, we’re aware opposing defenses don’t take the field against each other, but these teams have a combined five wins and this one is too good to pass up. Which unit is worse? The Giants are ranked 31st in the NFL in run defense, allowing 140.6 yards per game. The Titans are dead last, giving up 141.5 yards per game. The Titans could have the edge because their rookie running back, Bishop Sankey, is playing considerably better than the Giants rookie, Andre Williams. Veteran Rashad Jennings (ankle) is questionable, at best. Sankey, a second-round pick from Washington, has 474 yards and is averaging 3.9 yards per carry. That’s nothing special, but those numbers look a whole lot better than what Williams has been able to accomplish. In 12 more rushing attempts than Sankey, Williams has gained 393 yards and averaged a microscopic 2.9 yards per carry. Sure, the Giants haven’t exactly helped out Williams with any punishing run-blocking, but Williams also hasn’t helped himself with a lack of patience at the line of scrimmage.
4 Downs
GET A GRIP: Fumbling issues have stained an otherwise impressive breakout season for tight end Larry Donnell.
“Some of the plays I’m more worried about his health than the football,’’ Eli Manning said. “Some of the ways he kind of jumps up and goes down, he sorta lands on top of his head.’’
Manning then paused.
“I’m the last one to teach how to take a hit running, I haven’t done it a whole lot myself,’’ he said, smiling weakly. “I don’t think I can tell him to slide.’’
Manning’s interceptions are down (12 in 12 games) but he has fumbled seven times — losing four, including two last week in Jacksonville. He said he spent part of his off-day on Tuesday trying out different ways to secure the football.
“Trying to figure out what’s my strongest grip,’’ Eli said. “You want to make it a reaction.’’
The conclusion? “Two hands on it and having it close to the body,’’ he said.
LOSE THE ’TUDE: Zach Mettenberger has had some success since replacing Jake Locker as the Titans starting quarterback, but the rookie also has demonstrated a certain punkish quality. Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt took umbrage with Mettenberger posing several selfies before his first NFL start, and the Titans had to prod the long-haired, long-bearded Mettenberger to get a trim.
“You have to represent yourself and the organization the right way,’’ Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
This week, on a conference call, Mettenberger came off as a bit of a wise-guy when he was asked to repeat his contention that at LSU he had seen Odell Beckham Jr. make better catches than the one he wowed everyone with a few weeks ago.
“Yeah,’’ Mettenberger said, before cracking, “I didn’t stutter.’’
Mettenberger is listed as questionable with a sore shoulder — the previously benched Locker is next line.
FULL CIRCLE: Until recently, the Giants offensive line has not been injury-riddled, it just has been way too inconsistent. The past two weeks prompted all sorts of shuffling, but the five linemen in the starting lineup for this game are the same five who started the first 10 games. Justin Pugh is back at right tackle after missing the last two games with a strained quad, and this is his chance to finish strong after what thus far has been a disappointing second NFL season.
“It is the first time I have had to [sit out] since college, so it was definitely tough,’’ Pugh said. “Feeling like you can contribute and feeling like you can help out there and then not being able to go out there.’’
MORE YOU CAN DO: It has been a whirlwind few months for Beckham, who sure is making up for lost time since missing the first four games of his rookie season. He already has caught 48 passes for 699 yards and five touchdowns, made what many consider the best catch in NFL history, and a few days ago he had dinner with his sports idol, LeBron James.
What can Beckham do for an encore? Well, the Giants are 1-7 with Beckham on the field and 0-7 with him in the starting lineup. The guy is a freak athlete, capable of kicking field goals and dribbling a football as if it were a soccer ball. He also can throw a football with both hands, and some of his right-handed spirals travel 40 yards and appear effortless. Perhaps it is time for the Giants to call for an end-around pass play from Beckham. Too bad he can’t throw it to himself.
Paul’s pick
Let’s try this again. As bad as they are, the Giants cannot lose back-to-back games to the Jaguars and Titans, can they? The Titans have allowed 88 points the past two games, and shame on Eli Manning and the Giants if they cannot navigate their way to 28 or 30. This madness must end.
Giants 31, Titans 17