It was so easy to get down on the Giants. For good reason.

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They disappointed themselves and everyone who felt energized seeing Jaxson Dart turn his first NFL start into a referendum on his moxie. A week later, they turned good vibes into bad news with the way they bungled the ball in a ridiculous loss in New Orleans to an opponent that needed a 5-0 advantage in turnovers to squeeze out a 12-point victory. The Saints required help and the Giants obliged.

It was after that Week 4 setback — and yes, it was a setback — that the biggest Giants player of them all spoke up.

Dexter Lawrence, on the wrong end of these desultory affairs far too often, provided a message this time around that was patently unfamiliar. This was not about sticking together in tough times. This was about something quite different.