Before we get into the meat of today’s topic, a little background is necessary.
Well, readers, we are here to talk about NFL preseason games. New York Giants and Houston Texansthe team that surprisingly won the AFC South and advanced to the divisional round. It’s been a few weeks since games have been counted in the win/loss column and statistics have actually mattered.
That being said … Daniel Jones gave Giants fans some reason to be concerned on just two plays against the Texans on Saturday.
Jones did not play in New York’s preseason opener, but Detroit Lions He returned from a knee injury he suffered last season and threw two interceptions early in the game against Houston.
The first is a classic example of what not to do at the quarterback position.
With the Giants facing a second-and-8 situation deep in their own half, Jones ducked to avoid a quick run fake, but he was soon pressured in the end zone and the quarterback forced a pass to rookie tight end Theo Johnson to avoid a sack for a safety.
Houston safety Jalen Pitre was lying in wait, willing not only to make an interception but also to dive into the end zone for a pick-six.
When a quarterback sees this in the end zone, it’s usually not a good sign.
Jones may have been trying to throw the pass to avoid a safety, and we should also remember that an intentional grounding penalty would have also cost the Texans two points, so we know the quarterback had to throw the pass in Johnson’s direction, but if he was really trying to throw the pass, he should have thrown it in a better spot.
Jones’ second interception came on the next possession, after the New York passer had driven the Giants deep into Houston’s half, attempting a vertical pass down the right sideline to Jalin Hyatt.
Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. had other ideas.
Stingley ran a route in lockstep with Hyatt, and Jones tried to use his touch to throw the pass over the line rather than dropping it over the defender’s head, but Stingley caught the interception, ending the Giants’ scoring threat.
In fairness, Jones and the Giants offense continued to battle. Jones connected with Darius Slayton for a deep shot on New York’s next drive, giving the Giants a first-and-goal opportunity at the Houston 1-yard line.
It was a perfect pass from Jones, who ran a great route and threw the ball to Slayton, who had space along the sideline to chase it down. New York scored a touchdown two plays later on a run by Devin Singletary and the game was suddenly tied at 7-7.
Jones and the Giants offense added a field goal before halftime, thanks to some great adjustments from rookie wide receiver Malik Neighbors on passes from New York’s passer.
Jones was replaced by reserve Tommy DeVito at halftime with the score in the Texans’ favor, 14-10. He finished the day completing 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards and two turnovers, but shook off two early interceptions with two scoring drives, a strong response to those early mistakes.
But we do know what will be the main talking point in the Big Apple this week.
