The Giants doubled their interception total on Sunday, rookie Dane Belton getting his first career pick – and the Giants’ second of 2022 – in a huge spot to stop a Texans drive.
Belton’s pick came in the end zone on a second-and-25 from the Giants’ 29, one play after the Texans had a TD nullified by penalty, so his interception was a double whammy for Houston.
“Being able to make a play in general is big, but especially seeing it right before and being able to come back was huge for sure,” Belton said of the pick.
The INT made it two straight drives the Giants’ defense forced a turnover in the red zone, coming off a fumble recovery by Jaylon Smith inside their own 10 on the previous drive, and those took anywhere from six to 14 points off the board in a game that ended up being decided by eight.
“Two good plays for us by two good leaders,” head coach Brian Daboll said of that stretch. “Belton made a big play after they hit a couple good plays. Red zone defense, we've been playing it fairly well this year. This was in the fringe area, high red zone. Good plays. Everything starts up front, whether it's the defensive line or the offensive line, and the guys that have been playing in there, have been doing a good job for us. We're going to continue to need that.”
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Indeed, the Giants’ red zone defense has been spectacular this season, and on Sunday, Houston’s six trips into the red zone did account for all 16 points, but there were more field goals (three) and turnovers (two) than touchdowns (one).
“I feel like it's a standard we have. You always want to make a play, but when we're backed up, it's really imperative that you've got to make a play right there,” Belton said. “You don't want to give up points, especially with this defense. Just being able to focus on that throughout the week and being able to come through in the game and holding them to whatever the percentage was big for us and it showed in the final score.”
Things in the back end could’ve been chaotic with Xavier McKinney out, but in one regard, fellow safety Julian Love stepped up to become the green dot point man as the quarterback of the defense.
“It worked well. Julian is a really smart guy, he communicated well. I feel like there wasn't any hiccups at all,” Belton said of Love being the point man. “It's just one person having it to another person. It's not a drop-off. He communicated well, spread the information and just playing from there.”
And, Belton and special teamer Jason Pinnock each made a huge play while filling in for McKinney’s positional spot, Belton with the INT and Pinnock sacking Davis Mills in the final minute to force Houston to kick their final field goal and go for an onside kick as time wound down.
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“I wouldn't say it was too much on us. I feel like it's not bigger than what it is,” Belton said. “X is a great player and makes a lot of plays for this team. For us just coming in and filling that role and doing our job. Nothing more, like I said earlier. Just being able to play alongside those guys just helping us out just making plays and not having to do too much was big.”
“Those guys are interchangeable, but Dane's smart. That's why we drafted him. We thought he was a good player, and he's very intelligent,” Daboll added. “So, you're always going to miss your captains, your really good players, like X is. But I thought throughout the week, Dane was practicing well. He was ready to go. We had no choice. That's what we expect.”
And as for Pinnock making perhaps the game-clinching sack? Consider that the same – a next man up ready to go, and coming up huge in a big spot.
“That’s my brother; we were both at the Jets, came across the same year, so to see him get the sack, I was hyped for him,” said Lawrence Cager, who scored a TD for the Giants Sunday. “We love this team, and I'm just glad we could make impacts to help this team win in any type of way.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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