NY Giants studs and duds from loss to Broncos: Sterling Shepard alone can’t carry offense

DUD: NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones

No one is more vital to the upward trajectory of the NY Giants than Daniel Jones, but Sunday was yet another worrisome reminder that a backbreaking turnover seems always just a play away for the third-year quarterback.

With the NY Giants trailing 17-7, and the Broncos fresh off lengthy scoring drives to end the first half and begin the second, Jones took off scrambling, lowered his shoulder and put the ball on the Metlife Stadium turf, rather than giving himself up and sliding, living to play another day. The Broncos recovered the ball, and the NY Giants never recovered from the turnover.

“Just protecting the ball better,” Jones said was what he needs to do “And keeping it tight.”

He simply cannot fumble in that spot, but it’s an all-too familiar occurrence for Jones, who now has lost 12 fumbles in his career. The evidence is starting to mount, 28 games into his career, that until and unless Jones overcomes his turnover woes, the NY Giants aren’t going to be able to overcome him and win enough games to be competitive.