The New York Giants’ defense faced sharp criticism from New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler before their Week 5 NFL matchup, only to be decisively exposed on the field.
This stinging reality clearly motivated the unit, as the Giants used their postgame flight home from New Orleans to strategize for an upcoming Thursday Night Football clash with the Philadelphia Eagles while brainstorming key improvements.
Complementing these efforts, nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and linebacker Brian Burns organized a players-only meeting focused on accountability in preparation for the Eagles showdown. The initiative underscored a renewed commitment to excellence across the roster.
“A lot of work put into it, both from the assistant coaches and the players,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll remarked after the thrilling upset victory, affirming the meeting’s impact. “That’s why I’m very happy for both of those groups, the coaches and the players, because I saw the work they put into it, the extra meetings the players had, the coaches, the communication that goes into it, and it was good to see that get the outcome that we so desired.”
Burns, who tallied two sacks on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during the Thursday night triumph, expressed satisfaction with the defense’s resurgence.
“We zeroed in on our priorities within the building and delivered strong performances across all three phases,” he told reporters.
This gritty response not only silenced doubters (for now) but also propelled the Giants toward a brighter trajectory in the 2025 NFL season, highlighting the power of internal accountability in high-stakes moments.
Now all they have to do is repeat it in Denver next Sunday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants defense held players-only meeting ahead of Week 6 victory
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
