One could argue that the 2024 New York Giants defense was a contraction of itself. They lead the NFL in sacks per game (3.6), one of the few positives of this difficult season, and rank sixth in red zone defense.
But they are also deficient in other areas. Interception, for example, is one of them. They have made just one pick through their first 10 games and are tied for last in the league with Cleveland.
The Giants' only choice was rookie linebacker Darius Muasau, not one of the team's talented young defensive backs. And that happened in the garbage time of their Week 1 loss to Minnesota.
They haven't caught a pass since. That's a total of nine games and, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, they are now facing the longest interception drought in NFL history.
The longest INT drought on defense since 1933
2017 Raiders 10 games
2024 9 games and countingWhy does something need to change? ?
“There is no doubt: we are close.” They will come. We won't rush them. We go…
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy)
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, in 2017, the Raiders defense set the modern NFL record (since 1933) by going 10 straight games – a span of 357 passes – without an interception.
A year later, the 49ers and Cardinals each endured an eight-game drought that was eclipsed by the Giants, who will return after this week's bye and try to avoid making dubious history on Nov. 24 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
No one can say exactly why the Giants haven't intercepted any 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, was rated highly this season but also went dry.
“We have to keep working on that. We have to find ways,” Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said.
“They just throw good balls. We can't get to them. That’s the best way I can answer it,” said nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. “I think we need to create more (takeaways) so the offense has a short field and doesn't have to worry about controlling a long field. It’s our responsibility to get the ball, so we have to do that.”
The Giants rank 28th in the league in passes defensed (29), but have only allowed the 10th-most passing yards. They have allowed 12 passing touchdowns, which is league average.
In a time full of mysteries and unexplained events that go against the grain, this film continues to confuse.
