Breaking Down the Giants’ Secondary: 2024 Season Review & Super Bowl Picks

Drew and Rob dive into a full breakdown of the New York Giants' secondary, analyzing the performances of the team’s cornerbacks and safeties during the 2024 season. With the defense facing plenty of ups and downs, the hosts take a closer look at who stepped up, who struggled, and what it all means for the Giants moving forward.  

Starting with the cornerbacks, Deonte Banks played in 14 games, recording 52 tackles, a forced fumble, and 12 pass interference penalties. While his raw stats showed plenty of involvement, his Pro Football Focus grade of 50.9 suggests that he had a tough season, particularly in coverage, where he earned a 50.3. Meanwhile, rookie Dru Phillips was a bright spot in the secondary, finishing with 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss, an interception, and a strong 77.5 PFF grade. His ability to make plays both in coverage and against the run made him one of the more promising defenders in the Giants’ secondary.  

Veteran Adoree’ Jackson had a mixed season, recording 28 tackles, five pass deflections, and a forced fumble while grading out at 69.0 overall. His coverage grade of 54.5 suggests that he struggled in one-on-one matchups, though his run defense was elite at 85.8. Cor’Dale Flott emerged as a key contributor, starting 10 games and totaling 53 tackles with an interception and seven pass breakups. His PFF grade of 62.2 showed solid play across the board, but there is still room for improvement. Isaiah Simmons saw his role shrink significantly this season, playing just 17% of defensive snaps, and his production reflected that. He finished with only 21 tackles and a 45.6 PFF grade, leading to questions about his long-term fit with the team.  

The safety group had its own share of ups and downs. Rookie Tyler Nubin showed his tackling ability with 98 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble, earning a 65.6 PFF grade. Jason Pinnock, a key part of the defense, recorded 85 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks, but his coverage grade of 45.5 was a concern. Dane Belton played a full season, contributing 56 tackles, an interception, and six pass deflections while earning a respectable 62.5 PFF grade. Meanwhile, Anthony Johnson Jr. played limited snaps but made an impact in coverage, finishing with a 74.1 grade in that category.  

After breaking down the Giants’ defensive backs, Drew and Rob shift gears to discuss the upcoming Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Chiefs heading to their fourth Super Bowl in five years and the Eagles looking to avenge their loss to Kansas City last season, the game is set to be a heavyweight showdown. The Eagles come in as slight 1.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 49 points. The hosts share their thoughts on the matchup, highlighting the key factors that will decide the game and making their final predictions on who will walk away as Super Bowl champions.  

From the highs and lows of the Giants’ secondary to the biggest game of the NFL season, this episode covers it all. Whether you're looking for insight into the Giants' future or just want to hear Super Bowl predictions, Drew and Rob have you covered.