The New York Giants opened the season in a way that’s all too familiar. Not only did the team drop its 13th season opener in the past 15 years, but they also failed to score a touchdown for the third straight year, something that hasn’t happened in the NFL since the 1940s.
Big Blue's coaching staff, and really the entire organization, entered this season on life support. Instead of showing any sense of urgency or change, fans were treated to the same brand of Giants football we’ve seen for the better part of a decade: abysmal offensive line play, no feel for red zone offense, and a defense that held just long enough before cracking. All of it added up to another 0-1 start.
For some teams, 0-1 isn’t the end of the world. For the Giants, it might be. As Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay noted in a recent article, NY's season is already on the line as they head into Week 2, and, of course, it had to be the Dallas Cowboys. If it feels like the Giants haven’t beaten Dallas in forever, it’s because they haven’t. Dak Prescott has owned the rivalry. He’s won 13 straight against the Giants and hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down.
Fans expected desperation. We expected urgency. We got none of it in Week 1. And now, with the team’s back truly against the wall, the Giants can’t afford to fall to 0-2, not with Kansas City looming on Sunday Night Football in Week 3. If they do find themselves in that hole, Brian Daboll may be forced to press the Jaxson Dart button sooner than anyone expected.
Bleacher Report adds pressure to Giants’ do-or-die moment
Kay did not mince words after New York’s 21-6 loss to the Commanders. They called it what it was: a sad, all-too-familiar performance. Russell Wilson completed just 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards and led an offense that looked completely lifeless. For the third year in a row, the Giants didn’t find the end zone in their season opener. Former QB Daniel Jones, now with the Colts, looked rejuvenated. Wilson? Just looked cooked.
It was such a rough outing that Daboll, who committed to Wilson as the starter almost instantly after signing him, wouldn’t even confirm that the veteran would start Week 2. As of now, Wilson is still expected to take the field against Dallas, but the seat is scorching. First-round rookie Jaxson Dart flashed real promise in the preseason, but throwing him behind this offensive line could be asking for disaster. Then again, it might be the only card Daboll has left to play.
The Giants need something. Anything. Because if this season doesn’t turn around quickly, it won’t just be Wilson’s job in jeopardy... it could be Daboll’s too. And that clock might hit zero as soon as this Sunday.