The New York Giants defeated the Chicago Bears, 32-13, at MetLife Stadium on Friday night, improving their preseason record to 2-0.
From start to finish, it was a sloppy contest for both teams, but that’s the nature of the preseason. And despite some of the miscues, there were quite a few positives.
Here’s a look at some of what we learned in Week 2 of the preseason:
Daniel Jones can handle adversity
In his NFL debut against the New York Jets, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones was flawless. In fact, he made it look too easy.
Against the Chicago Bears on Friday night, that was not the case as Jones fumbled a snap from center Jon Halapio and was later strip-sacked by James Vaughters.
Although clearly frustrated, Jones kept his composure and rebounded nicely, finishing the game going 11-of-14 for 161 yards and one touchdown.
“I don’t think he ever took a snap under center in college. That’s just part of the growing, but he didn’t panic. He dropped the ball a couple times, but he didn’t call his parents. He just went back to work and did a good job at getting us in the endzone,” head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters following the game.
It’s also worth noting that Jones made a potentially touchdown-saving tackle following the strip sack.
Eli Manning is the unquestioned starter
It’s time to put the speculation to bed: Eli Manning is the starting quarterback of the New York Giants and that’s not going to change.
Ignore the fact that Manning has been perfect so far this preseason and ignore the fact that he looks to be playing on a different level. Instead, just listen to the head coach because he’s literally spelling it out for everyone.
“John [Mara] owns the team, right? We’re on the same page. There is really not much more to say. I think I’ve been saying it all along. I just get a sense once in a while that when I answer those questions nobody believes me. Well you heard it from the owner,” Shurmur told reporters on Friday night.
To this point, Manning has taken every single first-team rep since the spring, started both preseason games and will likely get the go-ahead for a full half in Week 3 of the preseason.
Maybe there is life behind Saquon after all
A week ago, there were legitimate concerns that the Giants may have real problems at running back behind Saquon Barkley. None of the team’s backs looked particularly good against the Jets and something needed to break on Friday night.
Mission accomplished.
While the Bears may have sat all of their starters, the Giants’ backs went in and did what they had to do against the competition that lined up across from them. And to some degree, every single player put some positive tape on film.
The Giants gained a combined 161 yards and one touchdown on 35 carries. Rookie Jonathan Hilliman led the team with 56 yards, Paul Perkins led the team with 5.8 yards per carry and Rod Smith contributed with 42 yards of his own.
Beyond the statistical production, the backs also picked up several blitzes which spurred big plays. There was a lot to like. And while it wasn’t perfect, it was a step in the right direction.
Hustle deserves respect
Play hard from snap to whistle. That’s what every coach at every level will tell you, and here in 2019, there’s no lack of hustle from these Giants.
Wide receiver Alonzo Russell deserves the biggest shout-out for his play on Friday night, which was highlighted by a touchdown-saving tackle on what would have been a pick-6.
Check it out:
After the game, Russell’s hustle was celebrated by his coaches and teammates.
The pass rush has a heartbeat
Don’t look now, but maybe — just maybe — the Giants have a little something brewing in the pass rush department.
After a 2018 season in which they managed just 30 sacks, the Giants returned this preseason and weren’t exactly impressive against the New York Jets. However, they took a major leap forward on Friday night, recording three sacks, five quarterbacks hits and creating at least one holding penalty due to pressure.
Lorenzo Carter drew the holding penalty, while Markus Golden, Olsen Pierre and Oshane Ximines were each credited with a sack. R.J. McIntosh and Freedom Akinmoladun also joined the party with one QB hit each.
It may not be anything to write home about, especially since at least one of those was a coverage sack, but it’s a positive step the Giants desperately needed.
T.J. Jones deserves a spot on the 53-man roster
T.J. Jones has been a Giant for all of 10 seconds, but in that time, he’s managed to make a noticeable impression.
In Week 1 against the Jets, Jones led the way for Giants’ receivers in what was an all-around solid performance. On Friday night against the Bears, Jones took a slight step back with a sluggish start, but rebounded nicely to finish the game on a high note — both on offense and special teams.
Jones hauled in three of his four targets for 32 yards and his second touchdown of the preseason, while adding 43 yards on one kick return and 11 yards on two punt returned.
The one muffed punt return will look bad on film, but overall, Jones has proven himself to be a valuable asset worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster.
