New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur called it “heroic.” Wide receiver Sterling Shepard called it “savage.” Whatever the preferred adjective, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones had a game for the ages in Week 16 and is breaking league and franchise records left and right.
In the 41-35 overtime victory over the Washington Redskins, Jones completed 28 of his 42 passes for 352 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
Most impressive of all? After winning the overtime coin toss, Jones told his teammates they were going to drive the field and win the game. And they did.
“That dude is going to be something special,” Shepard said, via ESPN.
By all accounts, Jones already is something special. Yes, he’s got some fumbling issues that are easily cured (see: Lamar Jackson), but beyond that, his growth has been remarkable.
Already, Jones is a better quarterback than Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock. And the argument could be made that he’s more talented than Josh Allen, leaving only Lamar Jackson, the favorite to win NFL MVP this season, ahead of him on the list of rookie and sophomore quarterbacks.
For all the flack general manager Dave Gettleman received over the Jones pick, he now deserves a warm pack on the back for getting it right.
Jones is a franchise quarterback and the Giants are lucky to have him.
