NEW ORLEANS — As New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden streaked down the field without a New York Giants player in sight, a familiar feeling set in.
The players change. An exciting rookie quarterback can even provide a jolt for a week. But these are still the Giants. And they are still capable of completely eradicating the positive vibes generated from a win over the previously undefeated Los Angeles Chargers last week in Jaxson Dart’s first career start.
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So when rookie running back Cam Skattebo fumbled on a potential go-ahead touchdown drive on the first play of the fourth quarter, it wasn’t a surprise that the ball rolled right into Howden’s hands. Howden, a backup pressed into action by injuries to both starting safeties, raced 86 yards for a touchdown that punctuated a 26-14 Saints win.
In the 10 seconds it took Howden to cruise to the other end of the field, all of the positivity of the past week vanished.
“We just ain’t play well enough,” defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said. “End of the day, we beat ourselves. A lot of plays that we just can’t have to win a football game.”
Creativity is one characteristic the Giants haven’t lacked during the prolonged funk that has encompassed the franchise.
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