NY Giants studs and duds Buccaneers as Tampa makes it look easy

The NY Giants’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t show just how far away New York is from competing, but how much work remains to be done 

Something about Monday night’s dilapidating loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers felt like both a reality check, and a crossroads for the NY Giants.

There should be no doubt now, this is a roster — and a franchise — closer to the beginning of a rebuild than the end of one. One with more questions than answers. More hope than legitimate talent.

New York’s ffense that plodded along during the first nine weeks of the season was stopped nearly dead in its tracks, producing just 215 yards of total offense and 10 points against the reigning champs.

Defensively, the Giants offered little resistance against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, who more than doubled New York’s offensive output, even with Brady planted firmly and safely on the bench with just under 7:00 remaining.

Ironically, Brady faced only minimally more risk in the pocket, going all night without a sack and being hit only twice.

Whatever changes wind up coming out of Monday night’s debacle remain to be seen, but it is difficult to envision Jason Garrett finishing the season as the play-caller, after some mind-numbing end-of-half decisions and unimaginative playcalling.

Whatever ails the Giants‘ defense won’t be fixed before at least free agency and next spring’s NFL Draft, as nor Michael Strahan nor Lawrence Taylor could make this pass-rush respectable if they dropped into it in their prime. It’s fair to wonder if Dave Gettleman is the general manager to build a disruptive enough front-seven to compete.

Whatever scintilla of hope that the NY Giants could sneak into the postseason via a strong second half was squelched against a Buccaneers team that exemplified just how wide the chasm between New York and the conference’s best truly is.

Here are the NY Giants’ studs and duds from Monday’s loss to the Buccaneers:

NY Giants QB Daniel Jones – DUD

The margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin, and that’s especially so when the greatest quarterback to play the game is standing on the opposite sideline.

Daniel Jones fell off that razor’s edge Monday night.

Playing in his eight prime time contest, Jones looked no more prepared for Monday night than any of his previous seven. Beyond finishing a meager 23-of-38 for 168 yards and a touchdown, Jones fell into terrible habits, tossing a pair of terrible interceptions.

Jones now has seven interceptions, including three in the past three weeks, and 29 in 37 career games.

Until Jones can finally burry his propensity for turnovers — that seem to come in bunches, it’s going to prove difficult to expect the NY Giants to compete with him behind center. After efforts like Monday, Jones might be running out of time to prove he’s capable.