On Sunday, the New York Giants got their fourth win of the season when they defeated the Washington Redskins in overtime.
It was the Giants’ game to lose from the beginning, scoring on their first drive and never slowing down. The Redskins would keep it close and send the game to overtime, but the Giants emerged victorious behind a solid offensive effort.
Here’s what we learned from the Giants victory on the road:
Saquon Barkley is back to 100%
The Giants’ use of Saquon Barkley hasn’t been the same this year as it was last year, and it shows in their record. Sure, he missed a few games with an injury and maybe wasn’t 100% when he returned.
Against the Redskins on Sunday, though, Barkley proved that he is absolutely back to 100%. He recorded a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, an average of nearly 8.6 yards per carry. He also set the team’s all-time record for yards from scrimmage.
Saquon is back to form, and it’s a beautiful thing.
DJ’s magical rookie season shouldn’t be overlooked
Against the Redskins this Sunday, Jones threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns with a completion percentage of nearly 70%. He did not throw an interception and was sacked just once.
On the season, Jones thrown for 2,726 yards and 23 touchdowns, an all-time franchise record for rookie quarterbacks.
Yes, he’s had 11 interceptions and several fumbles, ball security is something he knows he needs to work on. But overall, Jones’ rookie season has been a success despite the Giants’ losing record. He has a lot of potential to be tapped into, and with the right coaching, has a bright future.
Pat Shurmur can’t be back
Pat Shurmur cannot return to the sideline next season as the Giants’ head coach. They may have defeated the Redskins on Sunday, but he has lost every single challenge he’s tried this year. He doesn’t know how to manage the clock or when to call timeouts. His game management is sorely lacking in so many areas.
On Sunday, the second-year head coach did manage to get creative with his play-calling, but it’s really too little, too late. Had he managed to get creative earlier in the season, maybe the Giants would have won a few more games. But he didn’t, and the record is what it is. There needs to be a coaching overhaul during the offseason, and Shurmur needs to be a coach who departs.
