Jordan Stout punted six times Sunday, landed three inside the 20 and didn't send one into the end zone for a touchback. In a 12-7 win, the Giants needed that kind of work.
The 74-yard punt will draw attention, understandably. But half of his punts forcing Tennessee to start inside its own 20 is the number I care about more. The offense gave the defense very little room for a bad series.
Jordan Stout celebrates a field goal with Dominic Zvada on September 27. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Stout averaged 50.5 yards on those six punts, with a 44.2-yard net average. Gross distance measures the kick; net yardage accounts for what happens afterward, including returns and touchbacks. Sunday, Tennessee returned four punts for 38 yards, so the coverage unit deserves some of the credit as well.
Through three games, Stout has averaged 51.08 yards on 13 punts and placed seven inside the 20. That's a useful start, not enough of a sample to declare him the league's best punter. The Giants already knew they were signing an accomplished player: he was a first-team All-Pro with Baltimore last season.
John Harbaugh knew his work there, too. Bringing a familiar specialist to New York can sound like a coach leaning on an old relationship. Stout is giving the Giants an actual football return on that decision.
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When the offense stalls near midfield, chasing distance can mean a touchback and wasted field position. Stout avoided that Sunday. His three punts inside the 20 mattered more than simply adding yards to his average.
I wouldn't hand him all the credit for a five-point win. The defense still had to get stops, and Dominic Zvada's field goals supplied the scoring. Stout did his part by making it harder for the Titans to get a short scoring drive.
Depending on six punts every week would be a bad plan for the offense. Until that unit becomes more productive, though, the Giants need placement and coverage they can trust. Stout has supplied both distance and control; keeping the return yards down is the next job for the unit around him.
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