The New York Giants were down by 11 points in the fourth quarter on Sunday afternoon against the New Orleans Saints. New York rallied and took down New Orleans in overtime by a final score of 27-21.
Last week, I was bashing this franchise for potentially going 0-17. Is this franchise optimistic moving forward? I sure hope so. I am not going to overreact to a win and jump on the bandwagon for a winning streak or anything like that, but one win can get a young team moving.
Saquon Barkley played a huge role in the fourth quarter and in overtime. He caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter from Daniel Jones and he also scored the game-winning 6-yard rushing touchdown. Does this mean that Barkley is finally healthy and that the New York Giants offense is ready to start rolling? Time is going to tell.
Barkley caught five passes for 74 yards receiving and a touchdown. He also rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
Another reason to be optimistic if you are the New York Giants is that maybe this was finally the signature win for Daniel Jones in order to become the franchise quarterback for the New York Giants. I know we all criticize offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s scheme on offense, but he has taken the turnovers out of his game.
Jones completed 28-of-40 passes for 402 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His lone interception of the football game was a hail-mary attempt at the end of the first half. Daniel Jones threw a 52-yard touchdown strike to John Ross in the second quarter. It was the first touchdown of the football game from either side.
The New York Giants wide receivers were very good despite the absence of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. The receiving core of Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and John Ross II should be the receivers moving forward. They stretch the field and have speed. One of the strengths of Daniel Jones is throwing the football down the field.
Kenny Golladay caught six passes for 116 yards.
Kadarius Toney caught six passes for 78 yards. Toney has electric speed. He was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. Kadarius Toney caught a 3rd-and-18 pass at one point in the football game on a screen pass and picked up a first down on the play because of his tremendous footwork and shiftiness.
John Ross II caught three passes for 77 yards receiving and a touchdown. Don’t even get me started with tight end Evan Engram though.
Head coach Joe Judge has stayed even healed in wins and losses. In order for the New York Giants (1-3) to turn the corner on the season and everyone is already counting them out, they need to take down the Dallas Cowboys (3-1) on the road for the second consecutive time on Sunday. In an NFC East rivalry game, anything goes.
The offensive line was tremendous. Second-year left tackle Andrew Thomas has been a rock all season long. The offensive line didn’t give up a single sack yesterday against an elite defense against the New Orleans Saints and they neutralized Cameron Jordan.
The defense lacks a pass rush and could get burned against Dak Prescott next week, but Jameis Winston didn’t do too much damage against them. Winston completed 17-of-23 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown.
Taysom Hill rushed for 28 yards on six carries and two touchdowns. Alvin Kamara rushed for 120 yards on 26 carries. Marquez Callaway caught two passes for 74 yards. Deonte Harris caught five passes for 52 yards receiving for the New Orleans Saints.
The New Orleans Saints (2-2) next game will be on the road next Sunday against The Washington Football Team (2-2).
The New York Giants defense is going to need to continue limiting big plays if they want to go on a winning streak. General manager Dave Gettleman shouldn’t be off the hook by any means, but the New York Giants showed yesterday they may not be the worst team in the NFC East after all.
-Glenn Kaplan, 12oz Sports Contributor, Live Monday’s at 3 pm ET & Thursday’s at 11 am ET on 12oz Sports
Photo Credit: Twitter (@Mike_NYY)
