SAN DIEGO — The Giants during this lost season have been fairly good at eliminating big pass plays against them, but they suffered through several major lapses in Sunday’s 37-14 loss to the Chargers.
The first touchdown allowed was a 43-yarder from Philip Rivers to rookie Keenan Allen, who beat nickel back Terrell Thomas.
“It was just a man-to-man play, it was one-on-one coverage and the guy just had a wide outside release and he just kept running all the way to the hash,’’ Antrel Rolle said. “That’s a hard route to cover for anyone because you’re running from the post safety, you’re running from the leverage of the nickel and Philip Rivers made a great throw and he made a great catch and was able to extend for the touchdown.’’
The second Rivers touchdown pass was a 4-yarder to Allen, as Prince Amukamara never turned around.
“On the touchdown play it was just a basic cover two and you got to make that play,’’ Rolle said. “We don’t point fingers, we win as a whole, we lose at a whole.’’
Justin Tuck got the only two sacks for the Giants and now has six in his last two games. … Ryan Mathews (29 rushes, 103 yards) became the first running back to reach 100 yards against the Giants since DeAngelo Williams in Week 3. … TE Brandon Myers has TD catches in his last three games after scoring early in the fourth quarter.
DE Mathias Kiwanuka was called for yet another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, this one in the fourth quarter as frustration set in. … CB Trumaine McBride, coming back from a strained groin, started but was replaced in the second half by Jayron Hosley. … LG James Brewer since moving into the starting lineup has not exactly distinguished himself in pass protection and he cost the Giants a series in the first quarter when he completely whiffed on a block, allowing DE Lawrence Guy to storm in for a clean hit on Eli Manning as he released the ball. … Chargers LB Manti Te’o nearly came up with his first NFL interception when he got both hands on a Manning pass intended for Myers. Manning never saw Te’o but he couldn’t hang onto the ball.
Rookie S Cooper Taylor (hamstring) was forced out in the third quarter and did not return. … WR Keenan Allen set a Chargers rookie record with his 60th reception when he beat Amukamara on a 12-yard slant in the first quarter.
RB Brandon Jacobs must have wanted to get a free trip to the West Coast. He made the trip despite being listed as doubtful to play because of a knee issue and he did not even attempt to warm up as he missed his fifth game in the last seven.