All eyes were on the kid Sunday in Tampa Bay. After 15 seasons of Eli Manning as the team’s quarterback, the Giants gave the keys for the offense to rookie Daniel Jones, hoping that he could be the one to drive them to better things. Well after one start, New York couldn’t be happier with its decision.
Jones accounted for four total touchdowns, one of which was a seven-yard run that ended up being the game-winner, as the Giants beat the Buccaneers 32-31. After trailing 28-10 at halftime, Jones sparked a second-half rally to lead Big Blue to their largest comeback win in 49 years.
In total, Jones threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 28 yards with two more touchdowns. He became the first NFL rookie QB with at least 300 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game since 1970.
After being down 12-3 after the first quarter, Jones led a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a seven-yard touchdown run. However, the New York defense was gashed in the first half, as Mike Evans reeled in three touchdowns to give Tampa Bay an 18-point lead.
Second-Half Rally
The Giants came out firing early in the third quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Jones connected with a wide-open Evan Engram, who took it 75 yards to bring the Giants to within 10 following a successful two-point conversion. Then about six minutes later, Jones hit Sterling Shepard along the right corner of the end zone, making it 28-25.
The offenses stalled for much of the half after that, with kicker Matt Gay hitting his fourth field goal of the game to put Tampa Bay up by six. After getting the ball back with a little over three minutes remaining, Jones capped off a 75-yard drive with another seven-yard run into the end zone, this one coming on fourth down with the game on the line.
With the Giants up by one, Jameis Winston took only three plays to put the Bucs in field-goal range. With three seconds remaining, all Gay had to do was hit a 34-yard field goal for Tampa Bay to spoil the rookie’s magical debut. However, the kick sailed a hair to the right, and the Giants celebrated their first win of the season.
What was especially impressive about Jones was all he had to overcome in the process. He was under attack all game, taking five sacks and facing pressure on 51 percent of his dropbacks. However, he finished an impressive 12-for-16 for 192 yards and one touchdown against the pressure, showing the poise and control of a veteran quarterback.
Not All Good News
Then there was the injury to Saquon Barkley. The star running back landed awkwardly on his ankle during the second quarter and left the game. He was later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, the severity of which will be determined by an MRI on Monday. But Barkley did not play the entire second half, where Jones was at his best.
The reinvigorated Giants will now turn their attention to the Redskins, who play Monday night against the Bears. It will be the home debut for Jones, and it’s safe to say he’ll have a very warm reception.
