NY Giants roster: stock watch entering Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Before the NY Giants aim to break out of a season-opening two-game losing streak against the Falcons, here’s a look at who is rising, and falling so far
Last Thursday night against the Washington Football Team, the NY Giants showed they can move the ball effectively, that Daniel Jones can protect the football, but also that Patrick Graham’s defense is still learning how to close and Jason Garrett’s offense lacks imagination.
As a result, the NY Giants enter Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Falcons amid another 0-2 start that has become a New Jersey autumn tradition you can set your clock to as haunted houses and apple picking make their triumphant returns.
Sterling Shepard remains among the NFL’s most reliable receivers, while Darius Slayton’s drops are suddenly worrisome. Meanwhile, the pass-rush has yet to take footing for the Giants and James Bradberry has suddenly become a favorite target of opposing quarterbacks.
What does it all mean for Sunday, and the rest of the Giants‘ season?
Here’s a look at who’s stock is rising, and who’s is falling after the NY Giants’ first two games of the 2021 NFL season:
QB Daniel Jones: Rising
Jones is coming off his finest performance of the season, and perhaps of his young career.
Against the Washington Football Team, Jones completed 68.8 percent of his passes for 249 yards with one touchdown, and much more importantly, he threw zero interceptions.
Jones, while facing one of the NFL’s premier front-sevens, really seemed to turn a corner, both in terms of his ability to quickly get through his progressions, his willingness to push the ball downfield, and protecting the football. His numbers would have been even more impressive had Darius Slayton caught a 50-plus yard touchdown that slipped between his fingertips after breaking wide open in the end zone.
In addition to his improvement from the pocket, Jones also led the NY Giants in rushing, with 95 yards and his second rushing touchdown of the season.
If Jones can string together more performances like Thursday night’s more consistently, the NY Giants are going to be in a lot of football games. Jones played well enough to beat Washington, had New York’s defense and special teams not melted down in the waning moments.