Giants defense aims to put a lid on yards after catches

This feels like a big week for the Giants.

Yes, we get it, they’re all big in the NFL.

But, at 1-2, the Giants already could be in a seemingly uncomfortable situation.

After entertaining the Seahawks on Monday night, road games at Miami and Buffalo follow.

It feels like Monday night is a big game for Big Blue.

To that general point, Giants safety Jason Pinnock told Newsday: “Where we are now isn’t where we’re going to be.”

Pinnock said there is no panic in the locker room.

There has been renewed emphasis for the defense to limit yards after catches.

Deebo Samuel of the 49ers and CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys rank as two of the top six players in yards-after-catch this season. Both were successful in that category against the Giants.

“You can’t win that way,” Pinnock said. “Yards after catch, missed tackles. We’re just tightening that up.”

Pinnock paused.

“I think it’s also [a matter of] giving credit where credit is due,” he said. “Those are great runners. I’m sure if PFF [Pro Football Focus] does its thing, it would show that Deebo and [49ers teammate Christian] McCaffrey get a lot of yards after catch and yards after contact. It’s an identity thing. Something they pride themselves on. That’s not an excuse for me or any of my teammates. We got to get them on the ground.”

McCaffrey leads the league with 353 rushing yards and has made 11 catches on 12 targets for 70 yards.

For the Giants, it seems as if their focus these days has to be inward, and Pinnock agreed.

“I think that’s the biggest thing I love about this team,” he said. “[Adversity] brings us closer. It’s not like basketball or baseball where they play [so many games]. We’re talking about [one game] all week. Things are emphasized, but we don’t panic. If anything, it brings us closer.”

The one constant with the Giants’ defense is its commitment to the blitz under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

The Giants sent at least five…