Winners and Losers of New York Giants' Week 4 Performance

Although the New York Giants have not been mathematically eliminated from any postseason consideration, given the way they have played in the first quarter of the season, they've shown they have a long way to go before they can be taken seriously.

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Giants again couldn't get out of their own way. This time, the offense held up well for the second week in a row only to be burned by a defense that was a mess and another round of poor special teams play.

So here they are, one of four teams in the league who are winless (the others being the Browns, Chargers and 49ers), and the New York side that has the worst record of the two occupying MetLife Stadium (the 2-2 Jets being the other).

Where do they go from here?

"We have to go back and simplify," head coach Ben McAdoo said during his conference call with reporters Monday. "Simplify what we are doing schematically and let these guys go out and play and showcase their ability."

Yes, Giants fans, it's come to that. We'll see just how much they simplify things as the week unfolds, but first, let's take a quick look back at the team's winners and losers from Week 4.

Winner: QB Eli Manning

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

For those who think quarterback Eli Manning doesn't have it anymore, the 36-year-old has now put together two solid outings while throwing over 45 passes in each of the last two weeks.

This week, the signal-caller completed 30 of 49 pass attempts for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He also helped his cause by using his legs more to escape from pressure.

Manning, who led the team in rushing yards at the half, finished with three rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown, the Giants' first rushing touchdown of the year.

For what it's also worth, Manning has completed 69.9 percent of his pass attempts this year for a career best and the best in the league after four weeks of play.

If his receivers would cut down on the dropped passes—per Pro Football Focus, Odell Beckham Jr. has five per and Brandon Marshall has two—Manning would have an even higher completion rate. 

Loser: The Giants Linebackers

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Another week, another tight end burns the Giants defense for a touchdown. On Sunday, the Bucs actually had both their tight ends, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate, score touchdowns.

Howard's came on a 58-yarder that saw the linebackers (Keenan Robinson and Jonathan Casillas) flush to one side, leaving the Tampa Bay man wide open. Brate's came on a 14-yarder in which he slipped behind the linebackers in coverage.

For those keeping score at home, that's five opposing tight ends who have scored against this defense, which is not good.

Winner: RB Wayne Gallman

Jason Behnken/Associated Press

After being inactive for the first three games, rookie Wayne Gallman made his NFL debut—on his 23rd birthday no less—and delivered a promising performance.

Gallman, who benefited from Orleans Darkwa being inactive, led the Giants in rushing with 11 carries for 42 yards, a team-best 3.8 yards per carry among the running backs (excluding Manning's 7.3 yards per carry).

He looked decisive with the ball in hands, ran hard and showed a taste for the physical part of the game.

For good measure, Gallman—who was inconstant with catching the ball in the summer—caught both of his pass targets for eight yards, one of which went for a touchdown.

If McAdoo is serious about changing things up, he needs to start with the running back rotation by giving more snaps to this intriguing rookie.  

Loser: P Brad Wing

Jason Behnken/Associated Press

Punter Brad Wing is one of the most accommodating guys in the Giants locker room, but let's be real here: His punting over the first quarter of the season has been all over the map and not in a good way.

It was Wing's 15-yard shank on his final punt that gave the Bucs an excellent starting field position on the drive that ultimately ended up as their game-winning field goal.

The 26-year-old's inability to achieve consistency after being Mr. Clutch last year has been one of the most frustrating things about the Giants' season.

His net average of 34.0 has him last in the NFL. Still, McAdoo said after the game that he's not quite ready to give up on the left-footed punter who is also receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s closest friend on the team.

That could change in a hurry if Wing continues to hurt the team with his inconsistency. 

Winner: WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Before you ask, yes, Odell Beckham Jr. had a couple of drops against the Bucs and, yes, both were critical drops that hurt.

And, yes, Beckham did go out of bounds on that two-point conversion attempt, a play in which it looked like he was pushed out of the back of the end zone.

So why is Beckham, who still finished with a team-leading seven receptions for 90 yards, a winner this week? Because it was clear as the game went on that he aggravated his ankle and suffered a dislocated finger on his right hand.

He fought through his injuries as best he could to try to help his team, and while he wasn't always effective, he still managed to do more than some of the others who were on the field.

Loser: The Coaches

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

It's not just the players who deserve scrutiny, and this week the coaches come under fire for some of their head-scratching decisions.

Let's start with McAdoo, the head coach and play-caller, who again decided to go for it on 4th-and-inches only to be denied. His decisions have cost his team at least six points this year, points that a struggling team such as the Giants can ill-afford to give up.

You can also point to some of the lineup decisions, which are ultimately the head coach's say. For example, it took injuries to get guys such as D.J. Fluker and Wayne Gallman on the field, two players whose contributions were positive and could have come sooner.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo didn't have his finest game either, though he adjusted. One of his biggest gaffes was asking cornerback Eli Apple, who has struggled all season, to cover receiver Mike Evans, the Bucs' very physical receiver.

Eventually Spagnuolo realized the error of his ways, assigning Janoris Jenkins to cover Evans but not before the Tampa Bay man had done some damage early in the game.

What about Tom Quinn, the special teams coordinator? It's unclear if he is the mastermind behind having Brad Wing directional kick, which is not a strength.

Poor punting aside, Wing has to be put in a better position to succeed which means playing to his strengths by booting the deep high punts and trying to place them inside the 20 as he did so many times last year.

Winner: OL D.J. Fluker

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

After being tossed to the curb by the Chargers, all offensive lineman D.J. Fluker wanted was a chance to show the league he was not the first-round bust people thought he was.

He’s getting that now with the Giants, thanks to another reshuffle of the offensive line in which Fluker went to right guard and John Jerry, the incumbent at that position, moved to left guard to replace Brett Jones.

So how did Fluker do in his first action as a Giant?

"I think Fluker did some good things in there," McAdoo said. "He's a big man. He works at playing physical. He did some good things."

Per Pro Football Focus, Fluker allowed four pressures in his first game but no sacks. Next week, he goes against his former teammates and is sure to be fired up as he looks to pitch a shutout.

Loser: The Defensive Turnover Machine

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Giants' defense could sure help the team out more if only it could generate more takeaways.

The Giants are tied for 29th (with Chicago, Miami and Oakland) for having the fewest takeaways so far this year. New York has yet to record an interception while recording two fumble recovers (out of two forced fumbles) so far this year. 

With the Giants struggling to win the starting field position battle, a takeaway by the defense might just be the spark this team so desperately needs.

Patricia Traina covers the New York Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless noted.