MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Daniel Jones has taken a beating from critics around the league this season, and it’s nothing compared to the punishment he’s endured the past two games at quarterback for the New York Giants.
That continued in Sunday’s 31-16 loss to the Dolphins, and now the inevitable happened: Jones was sidelined in the fourth quarter with a neck injury.
The Giants (1-4) have lost three straight games since a historic second-half comeback in Arizona’s only win, and now Jones’ status is uncertain ahead of next Sunday’s prime-time game against the Bills in Buffalo.
Jones was replaced by Tyrod Taylor, who suffered late in the game but remained.
Jones was drilled by Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel early in the fourth quarter and was so slow to get up that he needed assistance from Giants medical staff to reach the sideline, where he immediately entered the blue tent for observation.
Jones was sacked 10 times by the Dolphins last week and had another six sacks by the Dolphins, including Van Ginkel’s sack at the end of the afternoon with the Giants trailing 31-13. Graham Gano added another field goal after Tyrod Taylor replaced Jones in the series.
Jones’ arrival required a response to a torrent of criticism.
Not in his words, mind you, because if you’re waiting for the Giants quarterback to deliver an “I’ll tell you” message into the microphones and cameras, well, that’s not going to happen.
But with the Giants’ early-season struggles leading to a 1-4 start and questions surrounding everything Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll put on the field in Year 2, Jones is the guy. A target on his back, especially with star running back Saquon Barkley missing his third straight game against the Dolphins.
From the media who questioned his $160 million contract. from fans who mocked him on social media.
What’s most surprising is that his peers in the NFL continue to attack Jones and the Giants to a degree that is reserved for a select few in the league, and in a bad way .
So as Jones prepares to take on the mighty Dolphins, who lost their last home game two weeks ago to the Broncos by 70 points, this is an opportunity he must seize to start leading the Giants back to where they want them to be. location.
But that didn’t happen, as the Giants lost their second straight game without scoring a touchdown on offense.
The Giants entered as a double-digit underdog and left with more questions.
Here are some of the biggest moments from Sunday’s game:
Jason Pinnock’s Pick-6 breathes life into Big Blue
If the Giants can score on offense, they might have a chance.
That’s because, while the Dolphins showed their speed and great playmaking ability, the defense showed fight. The Giants also managed to turn the game around and, at least for now, Miami appears poised to blow it away.
Miami defends back-to-back possessions in the end zone, starting with Tae Banks breaking up a pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle , and then Jason Pinnock’s stunning 102-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Giants some life late in the second quarter.
Live updates:See Art’s Stapleton analysis of the Giants vs. Dolphins game
The Giants trailed 94-19 in the first half of the season, and Pinnock’s outstanding pick-and-six represented their first touchdown in the first two quarters in five games.
Bobby Okereke broke through on Tagovailoa’s third-down pass and deflected the ball into the air, where it passed directly to Pinnock, who overran The fastest team in the NFL to reach the opponent’s end zone and score.
The Giants are the only team in the NFL without a takeaway, but they managed two in the first half.
Traditional methods are counterproductive
The Giants can’t keep up with the Dolphins through traditional football, especially on offense.
In a typical situation, it would be lauded when the Giants held the Dolphins offense to their own six points on a great punt by Jamie Gillan. It was good football and part of the complementary blueprint the Giants have been looking for all season.
But, as Giants defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson said recently, there are some plays where the defensive blueprint has to be thrown out. In this case, the Giants need to maximize their offensive opportunities in order to keep up with Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.
The Giants faced fourth-and-3 from their own 45, but instead of taking a punt, Guillen kicked a 49-yarder. Well played.
But these are dolphins. Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for 18 yards on the second play of the game after an incomplete pass, and then rookie De’Von Achane ran in a 76-yard touchdown. Just like that, the Giants trailed 14-0.
Inactive: Saquon Barkley out
That was expected as the Giants will play without Barkley, who is listed as questionable due to a high ankle sprain he suffered three weeks ago. Barkley is making progress in his recovery, but it’s expected to be another week before he’s back and close to 100 percent.
Daniel Bellinger (knee) will play despite being questionable.
Giant is inactive: Barkley, OL Andrew Thomas, OL Sean Lemieux, C John Michael Schmitz, ILB Micah McFadden, DT Jordan Riley, DB Gervarrius Owens.
