Daniel Jones Does It All in Giants Win Over Panthers
It wasn’t pretty, but the Giants got the job done against the Carolina Panthers. The score 25-3.
And for at least one week, Joe Judge, David Gettleman and company won’t have to hear from the fanbase about job security.
After getting plastered by the Rams 38-11 last week, Judge and the Giants changed things up. The Giants started practicing in pads again, and the focus turned to getting this season — that seemed destined to hit the third rail — back on track.
It also helped matters that the G-Men were going up against a Panthers team that is now 0-4 since dynamic running back Christian McCaffery left a week 3 match-up against Houston with a hamstring injury.
Sam Darnold has really struggled since Carolina lost McCaffery. It didn’t get any better on Sunday for the former Jets signal caller, who threw for only 111 yards and an interception and was promptly benched by head coach Matt Rhule in the fourth quarter.
James Bradberry with the interception of Sam Darnold for the Giants. pic.twitter.com/16mGOr6eFa
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) October 24, 2021
The turning point of the game came early second quarter when ex-Jet Leonard Williams got some pressure on his ex-teammate, Darnold, in the end zone, and the quarterback threw the ball into the dirt, generating an intentional grounding penalty for a safety, cutting Carolina’s lead to 3-2.
The Giants would take a 5-3 lead on their ensuing possession on a Graham Gano field goal with 12:57 to play before the half.
While the Giants were sloppy at times in this game, Daniel Jones was solid, tossing for 203 yards on 23 of 33 passing. Jones even caught a 16-yard pass from Dante Pettis with 4:53 to go in the third quarter that helped keep the chains moving on an impressive 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, that culminated with Jones hitting Pettis from five yards out to make it 12-3.
DJ with the ONE HANDED CATCH 🤯
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 24, 2021
📺: @NFLonFOX & Giants App pic.twitter.com/6ZJtqdVIEZ
Devontae Booker was equally impressive on the ground for Big Blue. With no Saquon Barkley, Booker ran for 51 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown that put the game firmly away at 25-3.
The Giants face the Kansas City Chiefs next Monday night. And there is question right now as to whether quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play after sustaining a nasty head injury in the Chiefs 27-3 loss to Tennessee on Sunday.