2 Giant Goofballs: A NY Giants Podcast

The New York Giants signed Dawuane Smoot to the practice squad after also working out Yannick Ngakoue and Julian Okwara. They gain veteran defensive-line depth, but with Brian Burns out for the season and Smoot's recent run-defense grades raising concerns, did they actually get the help they need?

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THE BIG QUESTION

Should the Giants sign Yannick Ngakoue after adding Dawuane Smoot? Smoot provides experienced rotational depth, but Ngakoue offers a different pass-rushing profile, and the Giants must decide whether another veteran is worth adding.

Drew and Rob examine all three defensive-line workout candidates, Smoot's career production and disappointing recent PFF evaluations, and whether Yannick's previous experience playing for John Harbaugh makes him an attractive option. They also debate the possibility of trading Kayvon Thibodeaux while the Giants are competing for the NFC East lead.

Would moving Thibodeaux now mean selling low on a former first-round pick, especially with Burns already sidelined?

The Giants' coaching adjustments receive plenty of attention as well. John Harbaugh discusses the latest injuries to Jermaine Eluemunor, Tyler Nubin, Colton Hood and Andrew Thomas. Bryan Hudson remains the starting center over John Michael Schmitz, and the offensive line faces questions about its ability to run the ball.

On offense, the Giants finally found success using a faster tempo with Jameis Winston against Washington. Drew and Rob discuss why it worked, Winston's 254 passing yards after halftime and whether Matt Nagy should make no-huddle a regular part of the offense. Defensively, Dennard Wilson has dramatically increased the blitz rate, but can New York sustain that approach against stronger opponents?

Then comes Dan Quinn's explanation of Washington's disastrous overtime finish. The Commanders had a chance to win with a field goal but allowed the clock to expire. Drew and Rob examine the substitutions, communication problems and coaching responsibility behind the 27-27 tie.

The Giants remain 3-1-1 and in first place in the NFC East. Should fans be encouraged by the comeback or frustrated by another missed opportunity to win?

NFL WEEK 5 RECAP

The second half of the episode moves around the league, starting with Tampa Bay's victory over Dallas and Jacksonville's remarkable finish against Philadelphia in London. The Jaguars' last-second field goal leaves the Eagles with another loss and gives Giants fans plenty to enjoy.

Drew and Rob also cover the undefeated Vikings, the Patriots' dominant performance against the Raiders, the Jets' defensive win over Cleveland, Green Bay's victory over Chicago, and Pittsburgh's big offensive day behind Jaylen Warren.

The Texans' trade for Marvin Harrison Jr. sparks a discussion about reuniting him with C.J. Stroud and whether Houston can revive his production.

The late games deliver more drama: Denver beats the Chargers after a controversial fourth-down decision, Jahmyr Gibbs powers Detroit's explosive offense, San Francisco stays undefeated with a narrow win over Seattle, and Baltimore rallies to beat Atlanta in overtime.

Throughout the NFL recap, Drew and Rob revisit their Week 5 winners, point spreads, totals and Trifecta picks, including a disagreement over how one of their picks was recorded.

The Giants are still leading the division, but do they have enough depth and consistency to stay there?

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The New York Giants erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit against Washington, only to finish with a frustrating 27-27 overtime tie. Three missed field goals and a costly Cam Skattebo fumble turned a remarkable comeback into a missed opportunity to strengthen New York's NFC East lead.

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Did the Giants prove they're legitimate NFC East contenders, or did they throw away a game they should have won?

Drew and Rob react to one of the strangest Giants games of the season. Down 14 points in the fourth quarter, Jameis Winston led two crucial touchdown drives to force overtime. Isaiah Likely delivered a massive performance with 11 receptions, 94 yards, and two touchdowns, while Malik Nabers added 121 receiving yards and a touchdown.

But the comeback only tells half the story.

Dominic Zvada missed three field goals, including a critical 46-yard opportunity in overtime. Drew and Rob debate how much blame belongs on the rookie kicker, especially given the rainy and windy conditions. Then Cam Skattebo lost a fumble as the Giants were moving the football in overtime, ending another potential opportunity to win.

The offensive coaching decisions also come under fire. Why did the Giants keep inserting J.J. McCarthy into special packages while Winston was finding his rhythm? Did those substitutions create any real advantage, or were they disrupting an offense that finally started moving the ball?

The guys break down the struggling rushing attack, offensive-line problems, and how the passing game eventually helped create running opportunities.

On defense, Jayden Daniels gave the Giants major problems with his mobility, rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Drew and Rob examine the lack of containment, the missed opportunities to keep Daniels in the pocket, and the defensive plays that helped New York fight back.

Injuries, special teams, coaching adjustments, and Washington's own overtime clock-management disaster all factor into a game neither team managed to win.

Is the comeback something to celebrate, or do the mistakes outweigh everything the Giants accomplished?

New York moves to 3-1-1 and remains in first place in the NFC East. With Dallas and Philadelphia both losing in Week 5, the Giants still gained ground in the division race, but they missed a chance to create even more separation.

Drew and Rob also recap the biggest games and surprises from around the NFL in Week 5, including the Eagles' struggles, the Patriots' impressive offensive performance, and other results shaping the conference standings.

This was a game that gave Giants fans almost every possible emotion. An ugly start, an incredible comeback, costly mistakes, and a 27-27 finish that leaves everyone wondering what could have been.

Would you rather celebrate the comeback or focus on the win that slipped away?

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Moving Kayvon Thibodeaux back to the edge could help revive the New York Giants pass rush, but it also raises a bigger question: why did it take four games to recognize the problem? With Brian Burns on injured reserve and Kayvon still sitting at zero sacks, the Giants need results, not just explanations.

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Is Kayvon Thibodeaux struggling because of his own performance or because the Giants coaching staff used him incorrectly?

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson acknowledged that the Giants played Kayvon inside too frequently early in the season and believes he's more effective rushing off the edge. Drew and Rob examine whether that explains the lack of sacks, what Kayvon needs to prove, and how much pressure falls on him and Abdul Carter with Brian Burns unavailable.

The Giants may be 3-1 and leading the NFC East, but the offense still has work to do. John Harbaugh admits the running game isn't good enough despite New York ranking fifth in rushing attempts. Drew and Rob question Greg Roman's system, the blocking execution, Cam Skattebo and Najee Harris' lack of explosive runs, and why Tyrone Tracy isn't seeing more opportunities.

Matt Nagy has also given J.J. McCarthy an A-plus for his early progress learning the offense. But with Jameis Winston winning games, should the Giants really be thinking about a quarterback change?

Deonte Banks' improvement, Arvell Reese's strong rookie start, and the latest Giants–Commanders injury reports round out the New York discussion.

Can the Giants reach 4-1 and take control of the NFC East?

Drew and Rob both pick the Giants to beat Washington and cover the spread. They examine Jayden Daniels' return, the Commanders' injury problems, and what Malik Nabers and Andrew Thomas returning to practice could mean for New York.

Then it's time for NFL Week 5 predictions across the league.

The Philadelphia Eagles are struggling offensively heading into their London matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Can Jacksonville's defense take advantage of Philadelphia's offensive-line problems, or can Jalen Hurts and the Eagles keep it close?

Joe Burrow and the Bengals visit the winless Dolphins, the Raiders face a Patriots team coming off an impressive performance against Buffalo, and the undefeated Vikings take on the Saints. Drew and Rob also examine Browns–Jets, Colts–Steelers, and Texans–Titans, including DeMeco Ryans taking over Houston's defensive play-calling.

The NFC North rivalry between the Bears and Packers brings another intriguing matchup, while Sean Payton's decision to reclaim Denver's offensive play-calling adds another storyline to Broncos–Chargers. Lions–Cardinals presents the potential for a high-scoring game.

Will the undefeated 49ers finally lose in Seattle?

San Francisco visits the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks in one of the biggest matchups of the week. Drew and Rob discuss Brock Purdy, Seattle's defense, Sam Darnold, and which team has the edge in this NFC West showdown.

The picks conclude with Ravens–Falcons, where Lamar Jackson's ankle creates uncertainty, and Bills–Rams, a potential offensive shootout featuring Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford.

Throughout the picks, Drew and Rob debate outright winners, point spreads, over/unders, and the underdogs capable of pulling off Week 5 upsets.

GOOFBALL ARMY — REPRESENT BIG BLUE IN THE FACE-OFF!

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Let's show those Cowboys, Eagles, and Commanders fans who REALLY knows football!

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Play daily, help push Big Blue up the leaderboard, and share your score with the Goofball Army!

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The New York Giants are 3-1, but a winless road record and Jayden Daniels' return threaten their chance to reach 4-1. Can Jameis Winston exploit Washington's struggling defense, or will another road loss expose the limitations of this Giants turnaround?

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CAN THE GIANTS BEAT WASHINGTON AND PROVE THEY'RE LEGITIMATE NFC EAST CONTENDERS?

The Giants have an opportunity to build early separation in the division, but their first NFC East matchup under John Harbaugh comes against a quarterback who has consistently given New York problems. Washington's struggling pass defense offers Winston an opportunity, but Malik Nabers' knee concerns and Andrew Thomas' groin injury complicate the offensive outlook.

Drew and Rob examine Washington's strengths and weaknesses, the Giants' ineffective rushing attack, Cam Skattebo's recent production, Abdul Carter's pass-rushing impact, and the importance of keeping Jayden Daniels contained. They also give their predictions for Winston and debate whether the Giants should attack Washington primarily through the air.

Is Lawrence Taylor right to pump the brakes?

LT isn't ready to celebrate the Giants' 3-1 start, although he believes John Harbaugh has brought legitimate coaching improvement to New York. Drew and Rob debate how much has actually changed and what the Giants still need to prove.

Should Joe Schoen pursue Marvin Harrison Jr.?

With league-wide trade speculation surrounding the Arizona Cardinals receiver, the hosts debate Harrison's upside, his disappointing production, the value of draft picks, and whether another receiver is really the best use of the Giants' resources. No Giants trade discussions have been confirmed.

The episode also covers Braxton Berrios undergoing season-ending surgery, Dontae Fleming joining the Giants practice squad, and Jake Haener's promotion while J.J. McCarthy remains a possible QB2 option.

Did the Eagles just make life easier for the Giants?

Philadelphia has lost Lane Johnson to retirement and traded Cam Jurgens to Baltimore. Drew and Rob examine the impact on the Eagles' 2026 offensive line, whether Howie Roseman prioritized future draft assets over winning now, and what those developments mean for the NFC East race.

Plus, a Buccaneers-Cowboys Thursday Night Football preview, game picks, Odell Beckham Jr.'s move to Minnesota, and Deonte Banks earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Giants have won three of their first four games. If they beat Washington, does 4-1 finally make you a believer?

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Three wins in four games have changed the way Giants fans can look at this season, but the gain comes with a new cost: injuries and lineup questions are arriving just as the NFC East suddenly looks more winnable. Drew and Rob weigh what the 3-1 start means against the uncertainty at receiver, center and backup quarterback.

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Are the Giants a real NFC East contender at 3-1?

Through four games, the record looks more credible because the coaching, young defense and ability to finish games are improving while the division around them suddenly looks much less intimidating.

Did Braxton Berrios landing on IR unexpectedly reopen the door for Odell Beckham Jr., or did OBJ’s comments after his release effectively close it? Drew and Rob get into one of the hotter debates of the episode while making clear there is no report that the Giants are currently pursuing Beckham.

Is Bryan Hudson actually about to take John Michael Schmitz’s starting job? Hudson’s first NFL start was clean in pass protection, and John Harbaugh’s “we’ll see” answer about the Week 5 starter turned what looked temporary into a legitimate center competition. J.J. McCarthy’s role is changing quickly too, with the possibility that he could already become Jameis Winston’s full-game backup against Washington.

The tape from Arizona created even more reasons for optimism. Arvell Reese continues to look like a potential defensive star, Abdul Carter generated pressure that went far beyond his sack total, and Deonte Banks explained how film recognition and leverage helped create the biggest play of his Giants career. Drew and Rob also break down the defensive adjustments that changed the game after Arizona’s fast start.

The league then suspended two officials after Week 4, including one from Giants-Cardinals, before the focus turns to Washington. Marcus Mariota aggravated his MCL injury, Jayden Daniels had not yet been cleared for Week 5 when the episode was recorded, and the Giants still did not know exactly which quarterback they would see.

Then the show goes around the NFL for Week 4: New England shocks Buffalo, Dallas outguns Houston, the Rams knock Philadelphia to 2-2, Jacksonville keeps winning, Seattle sends the Chargers to 0-4, Carolina knocks off Detroit and the rest of the weekend gets graded against Drew and Rob’s picks. A scoring correction also leaves the season race tied 122-122 entering Monday Night Football.

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The Giants are 3-1 after beating the Cardinals 36-24, but getting there required surviving the full Jameis Winston experience: explosive offense, three touchdown passes, two interceptions and enough self-inflicted damage to keep Arizona alive far longer than New York wanted. The payoff is another win and a growing belief that this team can absorb punches; the cost is wondering how sustainable this much chaos really is. 

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Can the Giants keep winning with this version of Jameis Winston? Right now, maybe — because the explosive plays finally arrived, but the turnovers remain dangerous enough to change games.

Winston finished 18-of-29 for 250 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Arizona turned those interceptions into 10 points, but Winston also finally attacked vertically and created the kind of offense Giants fans had been waiting for. Malik Nabers broke out with six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Malachi Fields delivered a touchdown and a massive 40-yard conversion on 3rd-and-20. 

Did Matt Nagy wait too long to open the offense up?

The early play-calling left plenty to question. New York repeatedly settled for short throws and abandoned productive runs, then suddenly started creating explosives once the offense became more aggressive. Theo Johnson's fourth-quarter touchdown and Najee Harris' two-point conversion put the Giants back in front after Arizona had retaken a 24-19 lead. 

The defense deserves just as much attention. Arvell Reese delivered what looked like a breakout performance, the Giants intercepted Jacoby Brissett three times, and Deonte Banks ended the game with a pick-six with 11 seconds left. Without Brian Burns, the pass rush started slowly but improved as the game went on, while Arizona was shut out in the fourth quarter.

Is Arvell Reese becoming a major piece of this defense?

We also get into a Giants running game that never found the matchup advantage expected entering the game, Dominic Zvada drilling field goals from 39, 50 and 52 yards, the questionable early two-point decision, injuries to Chauncey Golston, Jason Pinnock and Braxton Berrios, and Bryan Hudson starting at center over John Michael Schmitz.

The Giants created plenty of their own problems, but they also answered every time Arizona threatened to take control. They are 3-1, they just scored 36 points, and they found a way to finish a game that could have easily gotten away from them. Now the question is whether this chaos is something they can keep surviving — or something they eventually have to eliminate.

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The Giants still look like the better team to Drew and Rob, but a five-point betting-line swing and Andrew Thomas missing two straight practices make this a much tougher Week 4 call than it looked earlier in the week. New York also has to weigh Arizona’s injuries, Malik Nabers still learning to trust his knee, and how Dennard Wilson plans to replace Brian Burns’ pressure without asking one player to become Brian Burns.

Which Week 4 pick are you most confident in—and does the Giants line flip change yours? Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.

Does the five-point Cardinals-Giants line flip change the Giants pick? 

Drew and Rob still take the Giants to win and cover as underdogs, while also expecting a lower-scoring game.

Before making that pick, the show gets into several developments that broke after the previous Giants-Cardinals preview. Kendrick Green visited the Giants as another veteran center option behind the ongoing John Michael Schmitz conversation. Joey Porter Jr. was traded to Dallas after weeks of Giants speculation, but the Cowboys gave up significant draft capital without first locking him into a new contract. That opens a bigger Giants question: if corner remains a position they are watching, is there another player they actually prefer?

Andrew Thomas then becomes the biggest injury concern after consecutive DNPs with a groin issue. The guys also cover Tyrone Tracy Jr., Deonte Banks, Tyler Nubin and Arizona’s own injury situation before getting into Wilson’s post-Burns pressure plan, Nabers’ comments about trusting his surgically repaired knee, the early evaluation of McCarthy, and Jevón Holland earning NFC Defensive Player of the Month.

Then it becomes the full NFL Week 4 picks show. Drew and Rob work through every remaining matchup, making winners, spread picks and totals while arguing through the injuries and matchup advantages that could actually swing each game. The slate includes Colts-Commanders in London, Patriots-Bills, Jets-Bears, Cowboys-Texans, Rams-Eagles, Packers-Buccaneers, Titans-Ravens, Jaguars-Bengals, Dolphins-Vikings, Chiefs-Raiders, Chargers-Seahawks, Broncos-49ers, Lions-Panthers and Falcons-Saints.

Can Buffalo punish New England’s turnovers? Can Houston finally get its first win against Dallas? Are the Rams about to expose Philadelphia? Can Tampa survive with an undrafted rookie quarterback? And are the 3-0 Raiders actually good enough to hang with Kansas City?

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The Giants ended the Odell Beckham Jr. reunion after only three games, but moving on from OBJ does nothing to solve their bigger problem: this offense has now gone two straight games without scoring a touchdown.

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Can the Giants offense finally finish drives against Arizona? 

his matchup gives Jameis Winston and the offense a real opportunity, but after two straight weeks of settling for field goals, simply moving the ball is no longer enough.

Drew and Rob start with a Giants roster that barely resembles the one we were discussing a week ago. Jihad Ward is back after being signed away from Minnesota’s practice squad, giving the defense a familiar veteran while Brian Burns is gone. The Joey Porter Jr. trade rumors continue getting louder, but there is still a major gap between legitimate interest and an actual deal being close.

J.J. McCarthy also went through his first Giants practice while Winston continued receiving the first-team work. That discussion turns into the growing question about some of Winston’s throws coming up short and whether it is simply execution, timing or something worth monitoring.

Then comes OBJ.

Beckham’s second Giants stint ends after one regular-season target and zero catches. The Giants never found a meaningful offensive role for him, and Harbaugh acknowledged they simply were not getting enough from that roster spot. We debate whether the signing was a mistake from the beginning, whether Beckham deserved an actual opportunity before being released, and why special-teams value ultimately helped squeeze him off the roster.

The second half turns to Giants-Cardinals. New York is 2-1, tied atop the NFC East and facing an Arizona defense that has allowed offenses to create explosive plays. Winston needs to reconnect with Isaiah Likely, Malik Nabers has to be a major part of the plan, and the Giants cannot allow field goals to become their offensive identity.

Defensively, Jeremiyah Love’s growing workload presents another test for a run defense that has already been exposed once this season. Trey McBride gives Jacoby Brissett an easy underneath target, while Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. create different problems outside.

And without Brian Burns, the pressure falls on Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jihad Ward and Dennard Wilson to figure out how to affect a quarterback who wants the ball out quickly.

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The Giants gained a 23-year-old former top-10 quarterback, but they sacrificed a 2027 fifth-round pick for a player Minnesota had already pushed to QB3. Drew and Rob debate whether J.J. McCarthy represents cheap developmental upside or whether the Vikings moving on this quickly should be a major warning sign.

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Why did the Giants trade for J.J. McCarthy? 

New York is betting that McCarthy's age, pedigree and developmental upside are worth the draft pick as the Giants deal with Jaxson Dart's injury. But Minnesota's willingness to move the former No. 10 pick after only ten NFL starts is the concern that hangs over the entire deal.

The quarterback debate dominates the episode. Drew and Rob get into Kevin O'Connell's reputation developing quarterbacks, John Harbaugh getting information from Jim Harbaugh about McCarthy's Michigan days, why the Giants chose a young reclamation project instead of simply signing Jimmy Garoppolo or Jake Browning, and what McCarthy would have to become for the trade to justify giving up the pick.

Brian Burns is also officially out for the season with a torn ACL. The guys revisit whether Burns should have been playing at all, separate his existing left-ankle injury from the ACL tear in his right knee, and look at the Giants' options for replacing his pass-rush production.

John Michael Schmitz comes under serious scrutiny after a 19.0 PFF pass-blocking grade against Tennessee, especially because the rest of the offensive line showed improvement. Meanwhile, Arvell Reese turns in his best NFL performance, Francis Mauigoa continues his encouraging transition to guard, and the Giants' limited use of Odell Beckham Jr. remains a talking point.

Then it's around the league for NFL Week 3: Atlanta overwhelms Green Bay, Kansas City moves to 3-0, Cleveland keeps surprising people, Jacksonville crushes New England, Buffalo survives five turnovers, the Raiders keep winning, Baltimore escapes Dallas and Denver flips the Rams game late.

Rob also opens a seven-point lead over Drew in the season picks standings after a huge Week 3.

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The Giants are 2-1 after surviving Tennessee 12-7, but the win came with a major tradeoff: New York found a way to finish a game it might have lost in previous seasons while exposing serious problems on offense, in the pass rush and with late-game execution.

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Should Giants fans feel good about being 2-1 or worried by how close Tennessee came to stealing this game? 

The answer depends on whether you value the Giants finally finding ways to win ugly games more than the offensive and late-game problems that almost cost them one they controlled.

Jevón Holland was the hero again, intercepting Cam Ward in the end zone to finish the game and adding another massive play to his start with the Giants. Drew and Rob debate whether Holland has already become the most dependable playmaker on this defense.

The win also came with another Brian Burns injury concern. Burns entered the game dealing with an ankle issue, later exited with a right-knee injury, and during the show the update came that he would undergo an MRI. No diagnosis or timetable was available during the episode.

The offense produced no touchdowns. Dominic Zvada kicked four field goals and supplied every Giants point while New York repeatedly moved into scoring territory without finishing. That opens up a much larger discussion about the red-zone play calling and just how much the coaching staff trusted Jameis Winston.

Was the conservative approach smart because Winston was playing in terrible conditions and protecting the football, or did the Giants become so cautious that they made life harder on themselves?

The running-back usage became another major debate. Najee Harris averaged nearly six yards per carry but finished with only nine attempts, while Cam Skattebo received 20 carries. Skattebo still contributed as a receiver and made one of the biggest offensive plays of the afternoon, but Drew and Rob question why the Giants moved away from Harris when he was consistently producing.

Defensively, seven points allowed looks excellent until you look at how the game finished. The Giants never sacked Cam Ward, Tennessee eventually drove 91 yards for a touchdown, and the Titans reached the Giants’ red zone on the final possession before Holland ended it.

Where was the Giants pass rush when Tennessee finally started throwing the football effectively?

New York also piled up costly penalties and mistakes late in the game, giving Tennessee multiple opportunities to turn a 12-0 fourth-quarter deficit into a win. Dominic Zvada and Jordan Stout were outstanding individually on special teams, but the Giants made the finish far more difficult than it ever needed to be.

The Giants survived.

They are 2-1.

And somehow this win gave Giants fans almost as much to argue about as a loss.

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