NY Giants Grades: Ravens burry Giants in a first-half frenzy
QB Daniel Jones
Grade: F
There’s little positive to be said about Daniel Jones’ play in his return.
This marks his fourth game in which he’s avoided a turnover. But he only started and completed two of those games: In Week 12 and in Week 14, Colt McCoy relieved Jones before the games’ end.
Outside of that, what is to be said?
Jones was sacked six times for his second consecutive start. And while the offensive line is equally to blame, Jones continues to show no ability to sense pressure and escape before he falls.
Jones’ passer rating was only 44.2%, less than half of how his counterpart Lamar Jackson’s quiet day ended. That rating is not just a season low for Jones, but it’s also his career low. His previous was 49.4 against Green Bay in 2019.
He completed 24 of 41 attempts, spreading the ball to eight different receivers. He also threw his first touchdown since Week 9 — a statement in and of itself.
We continue to hear about the potential of Daniel Jones. But we’re again left at the end of each game wondering when that potential will materialize. And without use of his legs, which were the best aspect of his game, he shows how inept this offense can be.
It’s not a far stretch to compare Jones to the Raven’s Lamar Jackson; it wasn’t long ago that Daniel Jones was only behind Jackson and Kyler Murray in rushing yards. So let’s compare their trajectories.
Jones was drafted in the first round in 2019 with the fourth overall pick, and was the second QB taken. Since then, his greatest feat has been going a short stretch without turning the ball over. He’s been hurt in both years he’s played, and he’s never had a winning season.
Jackson was drafted in the first round the year before, but with the 32nd overall pick, and was the fifth QB taken that round. He was the NFL MVP in his second season, and even if the Ravens miss out on the playoffs this season, he’s ensured his third straight winning season.
There’s something to be said about good players helping make better players of those around them. Is the Giants offense good? No. From the line to lack of weapons, the offense is filled with holes.
But Jones has not shown that he can be a kind of player like Jackson, one who can find a way to change the course of a game himself to lead his team to victory.
All Jones has shown is potential, if that’s what you want to call his 7-18 overall record since handed the reins. But he didn’t show it in one of the worst performances of his young career.