The New York Giants signed Isaiah Simmons to their field goal block squad this week.
The strategy paid off on Sunday, as the Giants pulled off an improbable victory at the crucial moment.
Ford-Wheaton Bryce gave the kick back. With 55 seconds remaining, Simmons successfully blocked a 60-yard pass for a touchdown, which sealed the Giants’ 29-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Simmons skilfully leaped over the guard-long snapper gap in the offensive line as Seattle prepared for a potential game-tying score. The kick bounced into Ford-Wheaton’s arms for a touchdown that sent home supporters running for the doors.
“Normally, I don’t stand in for field goals. Thus, today was a first for me,” Simmons remarked.
The blocked kick completed the Giants’ almost flawless day. Despite missing two of its most effective offensive players, New York (2-3) executed a brilliant game plan that allowed them to take a 23–13 lead halfway through the fourth quarter. With Seattle about to force OT, the Giants then came up with a major special teams play.
Michael Ghobrial, the coordinator for special teams, installed the block earlier this week. Dexter Lawrence II of New York knocked down guard Laken Tomlinson, creating a path for the burly Simmons to run through and make the block.
Ford-With nothing but open field in front of him, Wheaton then played his role, capturing the lost ball.
“It simply transpired as we had installed it. We just
However, the momentum faltered, and Simmons successfully blocked the kick.
“Isaiah came to mind when we discussed who would be a good candidate to do the jump, and he executed it perfectly,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said.
Daniel Jones led the entire show with a powerful performance as the director. Even without running back Devin Singletary and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the Giants devised a game plan of darting runs and short passes that gave New York possession control and kept Seattle’s offence off the field.
The Giants took a 17-10 lead early in the third quarter thanks to touchdown passes of 7 yards to Wan’Dale Robinson and 30 yards to Darius Slayton from Jones, who completed 23 of 34 passes.
Fifth-round rookie
“Since training camp, we have expressed our admiration for our skilled players and the depth in those positions. Jones added, “And you saw a lot of guys step up and make a lot of plays today.”
If Rayshawn Jenkins hadn’t recovered Eric Gray’s goal line fumble, which he returned 102 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, New York might have won even more easily. However, that turned out to be the lone bright spot on what was a disappointing day for the Seahawks.
Although Smith completed 28 of 40 passes for 284 yards and added 72 yards through rushes, Seattle’s run game was largely unsuccessful. Three of Smith’s seven terminations came from Lawrence.
Having a brief week to play
“We played awful. That’s the truth, according to Smith. “I don’t think we did a good job. We came out slow, in my opinion. talked about getting off to a quick start, which isn’t how we want to start, and then gave up the ball instead of completing drives. In the NFL, you lose to all of the above.”
Uchenna Nwosu, an outside linebacker for Seattle, had a thigh injury in the first half and was out at halftime. Nwosu was playing in his first game of the season after missing the first four due to a preseason knee sprain. Due to a torn pectoral muscle, he also missed the most of the previous season.
Due to an ankle injury sustained in the first half, Seattle cornerback Riq Woollen was in and out of the lineup, then in the fourth quarter, Derick Hall suffered a foot injury.