How did the Giants go from potential playoff team in their first game to top of the draft order? Their season has been a bunch of fourth quarter losses, mixed with a few blowouts. This most recent stretch, weeks 14-16 is a prime example of their entire season.
After their grueling fourth quarter loss to the Dolphins in week 13, they found themselves in the same position in week 14 versus the Chargers. Jones and Coach Burn came up with a perfect game plan in order to protect Jones and prevent him from turning the ball over, however, for the Giants it seems that no matter what, they cant play mistake free football for a full game. The game for the most part was back and forth, however, the Giants were forcing turnovers, while managing to not turn the ball over. This all came to a halt when Barkley fumbled for a fifth time this season. This lost the Giants the momentum, which resulted in the Chargers taking and keeping the lead for the rest of the game. With the game tied in the final minute, the Chargers drove down the field looking for a touchdown and one was delivered by their running back. Like most times this season, the Giants couldn’t stop the run, resulting in another fourth quarter loss.
While the playoffs were a forgone conclusion after their previous loss, their next matchup versus the Cowboys was one in which they could play spoiler to a division rival. Coach Burn benched Barkley in this game after his first two carries went for negative yardage. This would prove to be one of the worst coaching decisions of his short career. With the threat of the run gone, the Cowboys were able to pin their ears back and rush the quarterback which resulted in Daniel Jones having another career bad day. Jones threw 7 interceptions in a multitude of ways, including throw out of sacks, missed passes, and just plain bad reads. This combined with their terrible defensive effort resulted in a blow out loss. The defense tried something new for this game as it was a game in which Adoree Jackson could obtain superstar status if he had either 2 tfl, ff, ints, or sacks. Jackson was able to get a tfl, and a sack obtaining superstar status which made the loss sting a little less.
While their week 16 game had no spoiler effect in it, they did face the Philadelphia Eagles who blew out the Giants the last time they played. The Giants were looking out for revenge and wanted to treat the Eagles the same way they were treated. Barkley, Booker, and the run game were heavily game planned for. The Giants run game was the best it has ever been this season as both backs scored a touchdown and Barkley went over the 100 yard mark for one of the few times this season. This was an offensive game by both teams, however, only the Eagles threw no interceptions. Jones played great if you just take touchdowns and yards into effect, however, after driving the Giants down the field Jones would either settle for three or throw an interception on most drives. The Eagles on the other hand scored touchdowns on most trips to the redzone. They were able to run the football, and score touchdowns as opposed to settling for three. This was all that was needed in order to secure the win.
Jones continued to play carelessly with the football and is the main culprit on why the Giants have been losing this season. A perfect example of this was on a throw he ran to the right and instead of throwing to a wide open Goladay, he tried to force a throw over a defenders head and was picked off. Although he has thrown for 36 touchdowns, and over 5000 yards, he now leads the league in interceptions with 48. If you cut those in half, imagine what the Giants record would be at this moment. Instead they sit at 3-12, after another fourth quarter loss and the only statistic they have to their name is a negative one. Rumors are swirling in the Giants locker room on who will be gone this upcoming season. Players like Jones, Barkley, and Ross who has yet to play this season are some of the names on the trade block. Next week the Giants will have a great opportunity to play spoiler as well as make their second draft pick that they received from the Bears better. If Jones plays smart they have a shot, if not he’ll find himself in the 50 interceptions club which is a place no player wants to be.
