NY Giants vs. Broncos takeaways: Daniel Jones fumble proves costly in loss
The Denver Broncos offense thoroughly dominated the NY Giants throughout Sunday’s game, and a Daniel Jones third quarter fumble proved costly in season-opening loss
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — If the NY Giants are going to compete this season, they will need the defense to be opportunistic, and Daniel Jones to protect the football on offense, but neither of those things came close to fruition in a 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday.
For much of Sunday’s game, the Broncos were able to dictate to the Giants‘ defense, with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater having plenty of time in the pocket, and when he didn’t, he was able to make some circus type throws.
Bridgewater hit nine different receivers, with ease, on short and intermediate routes, before making enough clutch throws to move the chains and keep New York’s defense on the field as the NY Giants offered little resistance.
The NY Giants’ defense allowed three fourth down conversions, the Broncos to convert on 54 percent of their third down tries, and struggled to get off the field throughout the game.
When Patrick Graham’s defense could get off the field — they allowed points on four of Denver’s six possessions, the NY Giants’ offense often sputtered, going three-and-out on three of four possessions in the first half.
It’s difficult to win when the defense can’t get off the field and the offense can’t move or protect the football, which is exactly what the NY Giants tried to and failed to overcome against the Broncos.
By the time Melvin Gordon broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown with 4:37 remaining, the game might not have been out of hand, but it had certainly felt like it for much of the second half.
Here are key takeaways from the NY Giants loss to the Denver Broncos:
New year … Same Daniel Jones concerns
Daniel Jones needs to prove this season that he can eliminate turnovers, protect the football, and be far more effective than he has through his first two seasons, winning just eight games combined so far in his career.
It might be a new season, but the same concerns continue to dog Jones.
With the NY Giants trailing 17-7 with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter, and the Broncos previously punching in a touchdown after running 31 of the game’s previous 35 offensive plays, Jones took off scrambling towards the end zone when he was met by a pair of Broncos … and fumbled the ball.
Making his 28th career start, Jones lost his 24th fumble on the 30th fumble of his career. At this stage of his career, Jones needs to understand situationally and where he is on the field, to give himself up on that situation and protect the football.
Denver converted Jones’ fumble into a 36-yard field goal, but more damaging was that the turnover brought a promising drive ton a halt and gave the Broncos another opportunity to extend their lead.
Time and again Sunday, across the sideline, Teddy Bridgewater evaded pressure and made big-time throws to sustain drives, but Jones’ untimely mistake turned out to be a costly one.