Turnovers Continue To Haunt Jones
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Giants will be looking for a quick turnaround performance after they opened the season with a 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
New York had only two field goals in the loss. The Giants’ penalties, inability to score in opportune moments, and the lack of protection of the ball contributed to the loss. “Obviously not the way we wanted to start,” Coach Brian Daboll said. “Disappointing game. A lot to clean up and that’s what we will do.”
If the Giants won, it would have been the ideal end of a perfect day. The stage was set. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon in the Meadowlands as New York celebrated the start of their 100th season with a new logo in center field. They honored the victims of 9-11 during the national anthem as an American flag stretched across the field. They later honored their top 100 players at halftime. The team wore their “Century Red” uniform to commemorate the 100th season. There was a packed stadium with most fans cheering for New York. However, the game progressed, New York had some flaws in their performance, the Commanders pushed ahead and the boos from the crowd started sometimes directed at New York.
Darnold Returns To MetLife And Leads Vikings Over Giants
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
“I don’t respect it, honestly,’’ defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said. “I get it, they want to see their team win. It’s just a rough patch.’’
New York’s defense had 49 combined tackles and assists and Minnesota had 64 combined tackles and assists. New York made one interception and had one forced fumble. The Giant’s defense was impressive to start the game. New York received first, but punted early. The Defense entered and Lawrence sacked Vikings’ quarterback, former New York Jets (QB) Sam Darnold, on the second play of their first possession. Rookie cornerback Andru (Dru) Phillips then forced Vikings’ fullback C. J. Ham to fumble in the second play. It was recovered by Giants ILB Bobby Okereke. The Giant’s offense was unable to score on their next possession and QB Daniel Jones was sacked, but New York was on the scoreboard first after a 23-yard field goal by kicker Graham Gano. New York did not score the remainder of the first half.
The Vikings were on the scoreboard in the first quarter after a 3-yard touchdown by running back Aaron Jones followed by an extra point by (K) Will Reichard. They scored again in the second quarter. Darnold completed a pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson for a touchdown. Reichard’s kick for the extra point was good. The Giants trailed 3-14 at halftime. Gano kicked another field goal for New York in the third quarter. Minnesota returned in the third quarter and scored two more touchdowns. The last touchdown was when Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel intercepted Jones’ pass and scored. New York’s defense held Minnesota at bay in the fourth quarter.
Jones completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and threw two interceptions. Jones addressed the pick six (interception) following the game as he was sacked 5 times. “Yeah, just the screen out to Wan’Dale,” he said about the obstruction of his pass to (WR) Wan’Dale Robinson. “Trying to get the ball out quick. Get it in his hands, let him run.”
Darnold completed 19 of 24 passes for 208 yards and 1 interception.
“Again, let me go back and look at it,” Coach Daboll said about the protection of Jones. “I thought the line communicated well.”
The Giants travel to face the Washington Commanders this Sunday. Jones was asked what he’s looking forward to in the game. “Clean it up and playing better,” he said.
The last time the Giants faced the Vikings was in the playoffs in 2023. New York won 31-24 when Jones helped lead them to the playoffs. New York won 31-24.
New York plans to revisit game tape from this week before Sunday’s matchup in Washington.
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