Daniel Jones Grade:
Jones can be excused for struggling to get into any sort of rhythm while he’s facing an onslaught of pressure through the first two NY Giants’ possessions, but his performance down near the goal-line was inexcusable.
Entering this season with nearly three times as many interceptions (22) as wins (eight), protecting the football is paramount to Jones proving to the NY Giants that he has what it takes to become an elite franchise quarterback. That’s what made his decision to throw, while staring right at Ross, so worrisome.
However, it wasn’t all bad for Jones, who placed the ball into an impossibly tight window deep downfield to Kaden Smith for a touchdown with :25 remaining in the second quarter. It’s worth noting that it was largely the Patriots’ second-team defense on the field at the time of Jones’ touchdown pass.
Struggles with turnovers aren’t new for Jones, and while the supporting cast will be dramatically improved around him when the rest of the NY Giants starters take the field against the Broncos Week 1, Sunday night makes it easy to wonder if Jones’ decision-making will improve at all.
If Jones can make more throws like he did to Smith, he’ll go a long way towards answering the biggest question of the upcoming season.
Grade: B-
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com