New York Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has questioned his players' effort, using the term "traitors" to describe a major concern within his defense.

Wilson's criticism came after New York surrendered 34 consecutive points in a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Giants had held New Orleans scoreless for the first 28 minutes before conceding six touchdowns across seven possessions, although they managed four consecutive stops in the fourth quarter.

J.J. McCarthy nearly inspired an unlikely comeback after replacing a benched Jameis Winston, but his final pass fell incomplete as the Giants suffered their first home defeat at MetLife Stadium this season.

Wilson believes the issues have now been addressed and expects a much-improved performance when the Giants face the Houston Texans on Sunday. “We confront it like we confront everything,” the defensive coordinator said before Thursday’s practice.

“I look at guys that don’t run to the ball, and I call them ‘traitors’ because they are traitors to the defense. When you have a traitor to the defense, you either have to make adjustments to get them off the field and get somebody else on the field, or they have to correct their behavior.

"Last week was one of those things where we did not — on every play — run to the ball. It was unacceptable. This week, they will be flying around 100 miles per hour with their hair on fire."

The Giants missed 13 tackles against the Saints, according to Pro Football Focus. Although Wilson did not name any players, film from the game showed several defenders jogging rather than pursuing the play after Jason Pinnock and Jevón Holland missed tackles on Alvin Kamara’s touchdown catch from a screen pass.

Wilson also made clear that players who fail to meet his expectations will face consequences. “If you are not doing something to help the team and you are hurting the team, if your effort is bad, if you have a lack of toughness, it gets pointed out,” he said.

“It gets pointed out in front of everybody. Not only in the defensive meeting. It gets pointed out in the full team meeting. When you have behaviors that are unacceptable, we’re not going to accept it. If you don’t change the behaviors, we’re going to change the players.”

The criticism comes amid a difficult stretch for New York’s defense, which has struggled to contain opposing offenses in recent weeks. The Giants conceded 24 points, 27 points and 34 points across their last three games, following a 28-point performance by the Los Angeles Rams in a Week 2 defeat.

Their next challenge is a Houston offense that has scored at least 26 points in each of its last three games and reached 30 points or more three times this season.

Wilson praised Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s decision-making ahead of Sunday’s matchup, saying the signal-caller has improved at reading defenses and distributing the ball quickly.

“I have a track record of going against him. Right now, he knows where he’s going. He’s playing with confidence,” Wilson said. “He’s putting them in spots for them to pierce and get up the field. They’re moving the ball at a high clip right now.”