Behind the play that helped seal the Giants’ upset victory over Seattle

It started with a small nuance noticed on film, and from there it grew into an idea that ultimately helped the New York Giants preserve their 29-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle.

The play in question saw linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who is not usually part of the Giants’ field goal/blocking PAT, line up and then punch a wide gap left between the Seahawks’ blockers.

The gap allowed Simmons, who timed his move perfectly, to get a hand on Jason Myers’ 47-yard field goal attempt, which would have tied the game and sent it to overtime.

“(Special teams coordinator Mike Ghobrial) Ghobi showed me some clips,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said of the play that helped the Giants earn their second win of the season.

“And we held it too. I kept asking him during the match. I thought we probably had a chance, and Ghobi said, “I just want to organize one more.” »

Daboll noted that Simmons could have been penalized if he had jumped over a low-blocking Seahawk, but that was not the case, and the play, which after the block led to Bryce Ford-Wheaton running 60 yards for the touchdown, was allowed to stand up.

“I knew I was going to be able to get pretty high,” Simmons said of his critical play. “My biggest asset was being able to double rebound. So land and get back on straight away. There is no time for anything else. Once I felt clear, the only thing on my mind I told myself was touch and go, touch and go, touch and go. I guess my long jump skills came into play there. »

Simmons, Daboll revealed, worked on his releases this week to ensure he would be ready to go. But when it comes to this specific play, Simmons said this was only his second live rep running this particular scenario and he only practiced it once last week, on Friday.

It turned out to be perfect,

“It was a really big play to end the game. It helped us win the game,” Simmons said.

The play, he added, had its challenges.

“I think the hardest part is you have to jump first and then move forward because you can’t touch anywhere else or it will be called back,” he said.

Simmons was, in fact, so confident that the play would work that he warned Ford-Wheaton to get in position to recover it and score.

“I said, be ready to pick it up because it’s stuck,” he said. “Look at that ball wherever it hits; just see it. I promise you it’s blocked. So, just be prepared to bail. From what I saw, he was more than ready to scoop. I’m happy for BFW. Good for him.

Simmons’ season didn’t go as he hoped in that he didn’t see much of the field on defense after having what he described as his best training camp. But ever professional, he keeps his head down and answers every time his number is called, which is all he can do.

“Just being able to go in there and make that play for the guys, you know? he said. “It was more of what I wanted to do. Just show them that I can make those game-changing plays, whether it’s at the very end or in the first quarter.

“Personally,” he added, “I think I’m the type of player who can help the team make plays like that often.”

Who knows? He might get another chance to make a play like that soon.