EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The very fact of the matter is that this: The New York Giants misplaced. Once more. To the Dallas Cowboys. Once more.
Certain, the ultimate rating was nearer Thursday evening, 20-15, than it was both of the instances these two groups matched up final yr, however as Giants coach Brian Daboll preached progress after the sport — he’s now 0-5 in opposition to the Cowboys, whereas the Giants have misplaced 14 of 15 to Dallas — it was onerous to place quite a lot of inventory in that message.
Besides …
The crew, and Daniel Jones particularly, did play higher. It’s inarguable the Giants quarterback has been higher currently. Thursday evening in opposition to the Cowboys, Jones accomplished 72.5 % of his passes (29-of-40) for 281 yards. He took only one sack, and whereas he did throw an interception, it got here on a Hail Mary heave because the Giants seemed for a last-second miracle.
So, was Daboll warranted in speaking about enchancment after the sport? Perhaps it simply will depend on what sort of temper you’re in.
The way in which a QB performs typically dictates the course of the sport. To me, Jones’ efficiency Thursday evening form of feels spot on: good, however not ok.
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However let’s attempt to make Daboll’s case. First, throw out the Week 1 recreation in opposition to Minnesota, the one the place Jones was making his return from an ACL harm in opposition to the defensive coordinator who’s been making life hell for each QB he’s confronted. Over Jones’ previous three video games, there’s sufficient statistical proof to say the Giants quarterback has been excellent. Jones has accomplished 67.6 % of his passes with 695 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception. He’s received a 0.18 EPA/dropback, which is equal to Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s EPA/dropback final season when he completed second within the MVP voting.
Nonetheless, when you’re understandably hesitant to say the QB whose crew is scoring simply 18 factors per recreation in that stretch is taking part in properly, you may merely concede that he’s been environment friendly. He’s protected the soccer (simply the one interception and no fumbles) and prevented taking sacks (4). In some ways, he’s taking part in what ought to add as much as successful soccer. And but the Giants aren’t successful. They’re 1-2 throughout this span and, after Thursday evening, 1-3 for the season.
And that’s what’s irritating for Giants followers and Jones himself, who needed to stand on the postgame podium Thursday evening to attempt to clarify what went flawed in one other loss, regardless of his stable play. In fact, what went flawed Thursday is fairly apparent. The Giants couldn’t rating touchdowns. Jones led the Giants on 5 scoring drives, however none ended ultimately zone. That’s unacceptable for any quarterback and any offense.
Good, however not ok.
“We’re anticipated to attain touchdowns and put factors on the board,” Jones stated. “And in a recreation that I felt like we had been capable of do loads and transfer the ball properly and execute quite a lot of stuff properly, we didn’t execute the red-zone stuff and didn’t punch it in, in order that’s irritating.”
Failing to capitalize on these alternatives was the prime wrongdoer within the Giants’ loss. However there have been others. Averaging simply 1.1 yards per carry (26 yards on 24 makes an attempt) in opposition to what had been the worst speeding protection within the league can be unacceptable. And whereas Jones racked up almost 300 yards passing, he left quite a lot of yards on the sphere Thursday evening as he repeatedly underthrew his receivers on downfield passes.
There are a number of examples, however the largest was on the free play the Giants had early within the second quarter after Cowboys defensive finish Carl Lawson jumped offsides. Slayton simply slipped behind the Dallas secondary and was open deep, however Jones underthrew him and was intercepted by Trevon Diggs. In fact, the interception didn’t depend due to the penalty, however throw most likely will get the Giants into the top zone.
Jones underthrew Slayton once more within the fourth quarter after the receiver had gained a step on Cowboys depth cornerback Amani Oruwariye. A second-quarter shot to Malik Nabers was almost picked off.
“I feel (I) simply received to hit them and provides the man an opportunity to make a play,” Jones stated. “I’ll have a look at it and see the place we are able to enhance. I believed, for probably the most half, we moved the ball properly within the passing recreation, and perhaps we didn’t hit a 30-yarder, however we hit 15-, 20-yarders and moved it properly, so I’ll have a look at the place I can enhance on these down the sphere alternatives.”
Jones must hit these pictures. This isn’t the kind of offense that may afford to overlook alternatives. And but, if you zoom again out and have a look at his total efficiency Thursday and over the previous few weeks, it’s nonetheless been fairly good. Ok? No. Not if the crew isn’t successful, however Jones additionally hasn’t been detrimental. Daboll would take it a step additional, even.
“For 3 video games he’s been locked in,” the coach stated Thursday evening. “He’s performed properly. He’s seeing the sphere. He’s delivered the ball the place he must. Once more, we had some alternatives to proceed drives right this moment, as properly. I’m pleased with how he’s carried out, how he’s ready. He’s completed a pleasant job for us.”
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Jones actually is benefiting from taking part in behind an improved offensive line and having a star-in-the-making in Nabers to throw to. However it’s not translating to wins. That’s a sample that may’t proceed over these subsequent 13 video games.
If good isn’t ok, Jones must discover a approach to be higher.
(Photograph of Daniel Jones: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Photographs)