This is what is called a productive weekend.

On Saturday, while readying to make the trip to Tampa for the Giants’ game the next day, rookie linebacker Ryan Connelly did the best he could to catch the Wisconsin-Michigan game. He liked what he saw, as his Badgers went ahead 35-0 in a rollicking 35-14 trouncing of a Big Ten rival.

“The boys took care of business back home,’’ Connelly said. “It was pretty awesome.’’

The next day, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones was pretty awesome, too, but the Giants were dismal on defense as they fell behind 28-10 at halftime, unable to lay a glove on Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers. Connelly, who had been elevated into a starting inside linebacker role a week earlier alongside veteran Alec Ogletree, was bumped up again, receiving an in-game promotion when Ogletree strained a hamstring late in the second quarter.

Jones was not the only Giants rookie to open some eyes at Raymond James Stadium. In the second half, Connelly wore the radio transmitter usually affixed inside Ogletree’s helmet and the Giants limited the Bucs to just three points, producing the requisite stops that allowed Jones to work the magic that mixed together for a fortunate and badly needed 32-31 victory.

“This feeling, you got to hold onto this feeling,’’ Connelly said afterward. “And we also got to hold onto the feeling of getting off on those third downs, the short drives we were able to keep them to.’’

There is a cause-and-effect here, which is not to state Connelly has usurped Ogletree and is now in charge of running the show on defense. With Ogletree hurting, though, Connelly will likely wear the wired-up (wireless, actually) helmet again Sunday against the Redskins, as the Giants look to see if they are building something at least coherent on defense, or if that side of the ball will be their downfall.

The Giants have allowed 94 points — the same as the Redskins — and only the moribund Dolphins have given up more. A staggering 70 points have come in the first half. In 12 quarters this season, the defense can feel good about three of them. The final two quarters in Tampa offer a glimmer of hope, though lest we forget, the Bucs effortlessly drove 66 yards in the closing minute and lined up for a game-winning 34-yard field goal that sailed wide right.

“That’s why you have to kick it, to see if you are going to make it,’’ safety Antoine Bethea said. “You can call it luck, you can call it whatever, but that’s football at the end of the day.’’

At least there were positive signs. Markus Golden’s pass-rush skills are coming back to him. Rookies Dexter Lawrence (one sack, two quarterback hits, a blocked extra point) DeAndre Baker (didn’t hear Chris Godwin’s name much, did you?) and Oshane Ximines had their best games. It was troubling to see veteran Janoris Jenkins struggle so much and, even more troubling, not seeing coordinator James Bettcher give Jackrabbit any help when it was painfully apparent he could not deal with Mike Evans (three touchdowns, 190 receiving yards).

“We’ll try to improve it,’’ coach Pat Shurmur said. “We’re always looking for ways that we can help the players on a rep or two, and we’ll continue to do that.’’

Connelly, a fifth-round pick who was a high school quarterback in Eden Prairie, Minn., sensed the big difference in the second half was attitude.

“As a defense we just kinda got fed up with the way we were playing,’’ Connelly said. “We knew that wasn’t reflective of who we are. We hold ourselves to a higher standard and we knew we were better than we were obviously showing. Collectively as a group we reached our breaking point.’’

It took one game for the coaching staff to move Connelly into the lineup, replacing Tae Davis on the weak side. When Ogletree went down, Connelly moved to a more natural strong-side spot. He did not make much of his new assignment: Alerting Bettcher’s wishes to his teammates.

“As opposed to listening to the call, I just gave the call,’’ Connelly said.

It is more than that. Connelly brought fresh legs and a clear mind. He also notched his first NFL interception.

“I like Ryan,’’ Bethea said. “Since Ryan has come in, he’s shown that he is a very intelligent player, good player. Downhill, makes plays. I think with him moving when Tree went down, I don’t think there was really any fall off.’’

The talent level on defense is certainly suspect and all the youth on the field makes this a trial-by-fire operation. The Giants require some surprises along the way. Perhaps Connelly can be one of them.