NY Giants QB Daniel Jones’ pair of interceptions proved costly against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 25-23 loss Monday night
The NY Giants had every opportunity to pull off a signature victory, and pull off a double-digit upset against the high-flying Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, but quarterback Daniel Jones once again was instrumental in a backbreaking loss rather than a catalyst to victory.
For the second consecutive week, the Giants took a lead into the fourth quarter, this time a 17-15 advantage, and once again rather than salting out the game they found themselves on the wrong side of an 25-23 loss.
Monday, a pair of horrendous Jones decisions that led to a pair of interceptions, the second of which with 12:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, led to 10 Buccaneers points.
There were opportunities throughout the game for the Giants to hit on big plays in the passing game deep downfield that Jones wound up missing on. Meanwhile, the Giants’ defense hung tough for over three quarters, but there’s only so much a comparatively under-talented defense can do against an offense that features Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Mike Evans. Especially, when Brady takes over at the Buccaneers’ 42 and 34 yard line off a turnover.
For the third time in four weeks, the Giants collapsed in the fourth quarter against a conference opponent with the offense unable to sustain drives late and the defense wilting after being on the field for far too long.
The Giants are now 1-7, buried in the basement of the NFC East, with all eyes turned now towards a possible sell off before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline and next April’s NFL Draft.
Scroll through for a look at the Giants’ studs and duds from Monday’s loss:
QB Daniel Jones – DUD
The NY Giants took a 14-6 lead into halftime, had been dictating to the Buccaneers defense for much of the first half, and Jabrill Peppers returned the second half kickoff to the Giants’ 44-yard line, when Daniel Jones made the kind of mistake he’s been prone to throughout his young career.
On 2nd down and 8, Darius Slayton broke so wide open on a nine-route that he would have walked into the end zone down the left sideline, but instead, Jones forced a pass into tight coverage along the right sideline that was intercepted by Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis. It was a back-breaking turnover that gave the greatest quarterback of all-time an extra opportunity.
The interception was Jones’ eighth interception of the season, 20th in the first 21st game of his career, and his 35th turnover overall.
Later, Jones made just an egregious decision for a quarterback midway through his second season when he put the ball in harms way while being dragged down in the pocket leading to his second interception of the night. The Buccaneers converted Jones’ second interception into the go ahead touchdown.
In addition to the pair of interceptions, Jones missed on several deep shots downfield that might have put the game on ice at various points throughout the game. Jones finished 25-for-41 passing for 256 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions, and he was sacked three times.
It is going to be difficult, if not impossible, for the Giants to take the step to being a playoff or championship caliber team if Jones continues to turn the ball over at such an alarming rate.
With the Giants clinging to life with :30 remaining, Tate got a step on Buccaneers cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, and made a spectacular catch, tapping both feet down in bounds in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.
Tate had a quiet night overall, catching two of three targets for 31 yards, but his 19-yard touchdown catch couldn’t have come at a better time for the Giants.
Unfortunately for the Giants, Jones was unable to convert the two-point conversion that would have tied the game when Buccaneers rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. broke up the pass intended for Dion Lewis.
Tate could be a hot commodity among contending teams in need of a wide receiver, such as the Packers or Cleveland Browns ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, and his catch was a reminder of what the veteran is capable of.
LG Shane Lemieux – STUD
Lemieux, the Giants’ fifth-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, couldn’t have drawn a much tougher opponent in his debut than the Buccaneers’ swarming front seven that includes Devin White, Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Ndamukong Suh. But, Lemieux more than held his own.
Throughout the game, Lemieux did a nice job of picking up the Buccaneers’ stunts up front, and threw a nice block that sprung running back Wayne Gallman for a big gain.
Lemieux’s debut was so impressive that it should embolden the Giants to explore trading high-priced veteran guard Kevin Zeitler ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, should a contender come calling.
WR Darius Slayton – DUD
Since Jones and Slayton arrived as rookies last April their chemistry seemed to blossom each week, and the former fifth-round pick has unquestionably been Jones’ favorite target, but for whatever reason these two struggled mightily all night vs. Tampa Bay.
Several times Monday, Slayton was open deep downfield and Jones just couldn’t connect or Slayton wound up dropping the pass. It even seemed at times, uncharacteristically, that Slayton was having a hard time tracking the ball on these deep shots.
Slayton finished with five catches for 56 yards.
RB Dion Lewis – STUD
It’s been fairly evident that Lewis slid down the Giants’ running back hierarchy in recent weeks, but he made his most impressive play of the season in a big spot.
Three plays after Martinez forced Ronald Jones’ fumble, Lewis streaked for the pylon on a wheel route with Buccaneers linebacker Devin White draped all over him, but made a beautiful sliding catch on a perfectly thrown pass from Daniel Jones for a 15-yard touchdown to lift the Giants to a 7-3 lead.
Lewis finished with two catches for eight yards and a touchdown.
LB Blake Martinez- STUD
The Giants’ marquee defensive addition in free agency has proven worth every penny.
Monday night, Martinez forced a Ronald Jones fumble by putting his helmet right on the football at the Buccaneers’ 15-yard line with 5:02 remaining that set up Daniel Jones’ touchdown pass to Dion Lewis three plays later.
Later, with the Giants trailing 22-17 with 5:12 remaining, Martinez did a nice job of bursting through the line of scrimmage and stuffing running back Leonard Fournette for a two-yard loss. Martinez finished with nine tackles, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.