The Giants almost pulled off a stunning comeback after putting quarterback J.J. McCarthy in their game against the Saints in the fourth quarter last Sunday, which is a big reason why he'll be starting against the Texans this weekend.
While the offensive coaches prepare McCarthy for his first start as a Giant, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is focusing on making sure the team doesn't find itself playing from behind. Next Gen Stats credited the Giants with 18 missed tackles against the Saints and Wilson said at a Thursday press conference that he doesn't believe it was "characteristic" of the team's defense.
Wilson said he specifically "wasn't happy with our effort running to the ball" and explained how he dealt with it this week.
"You confront it. Just like we do, we confront everything," Wilson said, via a transcript from the team. "When you're in the meeting room, you show those plays. I look at guys that don't run to the ball, and I call them traitors because they're traitors to the defense. At the end of the day, when you have a traitor to the defense, you either have to make adjustments to get them off the field, you have to get somebody else on the field, or they have to correct their behaviors. Last week was one of those things where we did not on every play, run to the ball, and it was unacceptable. The guys know it, and this week when you see them out there, they will be flying around 100 miles per hour with their hair on fire."
The Texans have put up 90 points over the last three weeks, so Wilson will need his words to find a willing audience if the Giants are going to avoid a third straight week without a victory.