The New York Giants won their first regular season game since Week 14 of the 2018 season in thrilling fashion on Sunday in game that saw rookie quarterback Daniel Jones lead an improbable comeback over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ 32-31 victory.
The Giants finally had a comeback win
The Giants had lost their previous seven games when trailing by seven or more points at halftime. Their last comeback win in such a game was back on December 11, 2016 vs. the Cowboys, when they overcame a 7-0 deficit to win 10-7.
The reason was twofold. First, the defense stepped up and made some stops in the second half of Sunday’s game which is something that obviously had not been doing. It gives fans a reason for hope, even though they did allow a 44-yard bomb to Mike Evans to be completed putting the Bucs on the Giants’ nine. Matt Gay missed a 34-yard field goal that would have kept the Giants’ streak of ineptitude alive. Secondly, Daniel Jones led an offensive surge that did not have the benefit of Saquon Barkley. How did he do it? Keep reading.
Daniel Jones did what Eli Manning could not
Manning may be headed to the Hall of Fame, but he had not been comfortable under center here for the past four seasons. This offensive system was simply not conducive to his strengths and the team struggled. Admittedly, we on this site have fended off Manning’s detractors but it was clear on Sunday that Jones’ skill set is tailor made for Pat Shurmur’s offense. The Giants appear to have finally made a adroit move by drafting Jones. His poise, talent, intelligence and leadership could be the catalyst that turns this dumpster fire of a franchise around.
Saquon Barkley is human
Watching Barkley in his first 18 games as a pro, he looked indestructible. Then, on Sunday, we saw him get stuffed at the line of scrimmage (10 yards on eight carries), then sustain a blow to the head that temporarily sidelined him. Shortly after that, Barkley had his ankle landed on by Bucs’ safety Mike Edwards, twisting inward and pinning it at a 90-degree angle against the turf. Barkley left the game with the assistance of two Giants’ staffers and was basically carried into the locker room. Giant fans felt more vulnerable than ever at that moment. Things were bad and getting worse by the second.
