HARD TO SA’
Giants’ poor play is confusing to Barkley
Saquon Barkley can’t quite put his finger on it.
The Giants dropped their eighth straight game with a 31-13 loss to the visiting Packers on Sunday, bringing them to within one loss of tying a franchise-record losing streak.
Sitting without a win since Sept. 29, Barkley had a bewildered look on his face when trying to pinpoint what has gone wrong.
“It’s all there,” Barkley said. “Obviously, I have the better point of view [of the team] to be able to see that and to say that. So, it’s all there. It’s just not, for some strange reason, just not translating to the game right now. That’s what’s up. When you work hard for something and you are putting the time and you are putting the effort and things just aren’t going your way, it sucks.
“It’s easy to cry about it, cry and hide in a corner, but you’ve got to figure it out. And that’s what we have to do.”
As one of the most highly touted running backs in the league, Barkley hasn’t had the season he likely envisioned after being named Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. But a lot of what has held Barkley back has been out of his control — including a pesky ankle injury that sidelined him for three games, and the Giants’ inability to get him the ball when it would be most effective.
Barkley should be called on to grind away, but the Giants have allowed opponents to run away with games. The Giants have led at halftime just twice this year — in their 19-14 loss to the Bears last Sunday and in their 24-3 win over the Redskins at the end of September.
Barkley did finish with 83 yards rushing on Sunday, his highest output since Week 2 against the Bills, and 32 yards receiving on three catches, but it wasn’t enough.
“When the other team gets up, you try not to run away from the running game,” Barkley said. “But naturally, I guess, it naturally happens. I don’t envision myself as just an inside-a-box running back. I think I can catch the ball in the backfield, catch screens and make plays like that. I don’t feel like I’m out of the game. I got to continue to keep my eyes open, be ready for blitz protection and then try to get to the spots where, if need be, I’m there for DJ [Daniel Jones].