Missed Chances Doom Giants; Barkley and Jones Hurt Again

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

The New York (Football) Giants traveled to Dallas to take on the Cowboys at AT&T stadium last Sunday afternoon and right from the start put themselves in a position to get on the board early. On their first possession, Dallas and quarterback Dak Prescott marched downfield to the New York 44-yard line and decided to go for the first down only needing 2-yards to extend the drive. Giants Linebacker Lorenzo Carter had second thoughts as he tipped the pass intended for running back Ezikiel Elliot and Carter had the presence of mind to pull it in for the interception. Giants quarterback Daniel jones, coming off his career game last week in New Orleans, moves them down to the Cowboys 36. Unfortunately, the normally reliable field goal kicker Graham Gano missed the 54-yard attempt.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was facing the Giants for the first time since he mangled his ankle against them last year. Prescott would get them on the board on the next possession after 10 play, 49-yard drive ending in a Gary Zuerlein 31-yard field goal. On the Giants next possession, the injury bug would bite Barkley again. Lining up on the left side, Barkley darts out of the backfield running towards the middle of the field. Jones pass was high and sailed passed Barkley. As Barkley began to slow down, he comes down on the foot of Cowboys defensive back Jourdan Lewis, rolling the ankle. Barkley limps off the field and eventually is carted off the field never to return. The Giants would punt and wasted then another chance as they could not take advantage of a Prescott fumble who muffed the snap from the shotgun on the Giants 5-yard line which is recovered by linebacker Reggie Ragland.

 

 

 

After the Giants punt, Prescott connects with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for the 49-yard score as Lamb gets behind cornerback Julian Love for the score extending the lead to 10-0. Jones and the Giants responded on their next two possession. The first ended in a Gano 51-yard field goal. The Big Blue defense stepped up as Dallas went three and out.

 

The game changed for Big Blue the very next time they had the ball. Jones moved them down to the Cowboys 1-yard. Faking the handoff, Jones rolls left looking to run it in to the end zone and is met with a helmet to helmet hit (Jones initiated the contact) with cornerback Jabril Cox. Jones staggers as he attempts to get back to the huddle. Like Barkley, Jones gets carted off never to return. Running back Devontae Booker ran it in From 1-yard out to tie the score at 10 after the handoff from backup quarterback Mike Glennon. The Cowboys would score right before the half and the second half would be all Dallas.

 

New York got within 17-13 after another Gano 51-yard field and then watched as Dallas outscored them 27-7 the rest of the way in the 44-20 loss.

 

Aside from losing Barkley and Jones, wide receiver Kenny Golladay was lost with a knee injury. Add to the fact they began the day with wideouts Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton and you’re not going to put a lot of points on the board especially with a backup quarterback.

 

The only bright spot, if there was one, was the play of rookie receiver Kadarius Toney who before he was ejected for throwing a punch at Cowboys safety Damotae Kazee  caught 10 passes for 189 yards. Second year head coach Joe Judge was seen screaming expletives at Toney and was not happy with his decision.

“I’m going to be very careful here selecting my words,’’ Judge said. “I talked to the player. I’ll leave it at that.’’

The New York (Football) Giants are going from the fire to the frying pan as they host the Los Angeles Rams who are coming off an impressive road win against the Seattle Seahawks. As of Monday, they were listed as a 10.5 underdog. All the aforementioned injured Giants are questionable. Which players will be healthy enough to suit up is anyone’s guess.