The NY Giants lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Cowboys 37-34. There was much to digest from this crazy game from both quarterbacks, let’s break it all down here.
When it mattered most, Daniel Jones and the NY Giants offense were unable to get the job done to win the game. They had the ball in the two minute drill only needing a field-goal to win but came up short.
The NY Giants fell to 0-5 Sunday, after not being able to take advantage of several opportunities to win this game. Greg Zuerlein nailed a game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired to hand Big Blue a devastating loss. Unfortunately for Dallas, this win came with a major loss as quarterback Dak Prescott went down with a gruesome ankle injury.
Jones had the golden opportunity to pick up the team’s first win of the season but couldn’t convert the most important drive of the game when it mattered most. This was the Giants’ best chance of winning a game all year and they have nobody to blame but themselves for losing.
Jones was 20/33 with 222 yards. His 6.7 yards per attempt was an issue most of the day as Jones resorted to short, quick throws and check downs in the flats. Jones went deep a few times, having one touchdown overturned on a beautifully thrown ball to Darius Slayton for a wide open touchdown.
Jones ended the day with no touchdowns but no interceptions either. His receivers continue to struggle to create separation from the defense along with an untrustworthy offensive line. The O-line only allowed two sacks, but Jones was often hit, pressured, and had to escape an often broken-down pocket and get on the run.
As has become the norm, Jones had his weekly highs and lows but the NY Giants are now stuck at 0-5.
Here’s a breakdown of Jones’ Week 6 effort:
Daniel Jones’ best throw of the day
Situation: 3rd & 6 from the NY Giants’ 28-yard line, with the Cowboys leading 31-23, with15:00 remaining in the 4th quarter.
On a critical drive to start the 4th quarter, Daniel Jones made a huge throw for the NY Giants. On 3rd and 6, with an oncoming blitz, Jones stepped up and hit Darius Clayton for a gorgeous 30 yard ball deep on the right sideline for a huge first down.
This throw highlighted Jones’ touch, ability to handle pressure both in the pocket and on 3rd down, and showed the potential the team’s’ offense has when they take deep shots. Hopefully, this play will be more of what to expect down the road between Jones and Darius Slayton.
Daniel Jones’ worst moment of the day
Situation: 1st & 10 from the NY Giants’ 37-yard line, with the NY Giants leading 17-10, with 5:09 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Daniel Jones ran a play-action run, then looked right, rolled right and seemed ready to throw. If only he saw DeMarcus Lawrence blow by Andrew Thomas. Jones got drilled by a steamrolling Lawrence, who then proceeded to knock the ball out of Jones’ hands. To make matters worse, Dallas scooped and scored off the fumble recover, taking it back 29-yards for a touchdown.
This play was awful for NY, as it gave Dallas back-to-back touchdowns in under two minutes. This turnover is another frustrating one for Jones and for all NY Giants fans. This was another costly turnover that directly led to points and cost the Giants their touchdown lead. The talk of Jones’ turnover issue simply won’t go away until he makes it go away.
Daniel Jones’ Overall Week 5 Grade: C+
It’s hard to say Daniel Jones had a “successful” game this week. Dallas has been one of the league’s worst defenses all season and yet again, the Giants couldn’t nearly take full advantage of their D.
Jones’ never quit, but never showed much to truly elevate the NY Giants and their offense again this week. Much of Jones’ success came off his typical, expected short passing game and getting passes to his guys early in space for them to make plays themselves.
#8 had the ball in his hands to end the Giants; losing drought and bring them to a 1/2 game lead in the lowly NFC (L)East. Jones and NY now look ahead to the nation’s capital and face the Washington Football team.