Grading the Giants’ 23-17 road win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
Offense
OK, someone has to say it: There were times when Daniel Jones dominated the game. He threw it (19 of 30, 202 yards, 1 TD) and boy, did he run it (11-107). He’s growing before our eyes. Saquon Barkley (24-110) had 18 rushing yards at halftime and dominated down the stretch, but he has to stay in bounds in the closing minutes. There was a season-high 436 total yards. Darius Slayton (3-58) showed the deep threat he can be on the 32-yard TD to open the game. Kudos to rookie Josh Ezeudu and backup Tyre Phillips for stepping in when Ben Bredeson and Evan Neal went down and out with injuries. Rookie WR Wan’Dale Robinson (6-50) did all his damage in the first half.
Grade: B+
Daniel Jones runs the ball for the Giants. USA TODAY Sports
Defense
Players after the game said it was the worst performance of the season. And yet, they allowed just 17 points. They did allow 452 total yards — 310 through the air by Trevor Lawrence and 114 rushing yards by Travis Etienne. There were big stands in the fourth quarter and the last play was a combined tackle effort from Fabian Moreau, Julian Love and Xavier McKinney. Dexter Lawrence was called for two roughing the passer penalties, although it looked as if Leonard Williams was the guilty party on the second one. Landon Collins’ first tackle for his new/old team dropped former Giant Evan Engram (4-67) on a screen pass short of a first down. McKinney forced a fumble on Etienne at the Giants’ 5-yard line and Love recovered the loose ball in the end zone.
Grade: B-
Special Teams
Graham Gano hit field goals of 33, 33 and 34 yards and the last one went through even though it was tipped. There was an illegal formation penalty (really?) on the first extra-point try for the Jaguars that cost the Giants one point when the Jags changed their minds and were successful on the two-point conversion. Nick McCloud blocked an extra point early in the third quarter. Jamie Gillan was too strong on a punt late in the third quarter that bounced into the end zone for a touchback.
Grade: B+
Coaching
The Giants outscored the Jaguars 10-0 in the fourth quarter, continuing to show they are at their best for Brian Daboll the later it gets. Also credit Daboll for admitting it should not have been this close. Mike Kafka stuck with the running game when it was stalled in the first half and rode Barkley down the stretch. Wink Martindale’s pressure packages on defense were mitigated by screens and quick throws and when Lawrence did hold the ball there was no generating of any real pressure.
Grade: A
