Lex: Giants Win a Shocking Thriller at Jacksonville 23 – 17
The 2022 New York Giants are well-versed in comebacks. They never flinched and ran away from Jacksonville with a 23-17 victory over the Jaguars. It was the fourth-straight win for the Giants, who improved to 6-1 in the first year under head coach Daboll.
Big Blue stays on the road and will travel to Seattle for their final game before the bye week. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12 during their last trip to Lumen Field in 2020. The G-Men leads the all-time series 10-9.
What Did We Learn About The Giants From Today’s Win?
Offense
All season long Head Coach Brian Daboll preached about starting fast. Today in Jacksonville the Giants came out fast, starting with a 12 yard completion to Darius Slayton on the first play of the game. D.J. went 6 of 7 on the opening drive for 65 yards. D.J. capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Darius Slayton for 32 yards.
Daniel Jones was efficient on the day throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown while also adding 107 yards on 11 carries. He also included a one yard quarterback dive to put the Giants ahead 20-17 with 5:31 left in the game.
The Giants lost two starting offensive linemen to injuries in the first half. First, left guard Ben Bredeson limped off in the first quarter with a knee injury and was replaced by rookie Joshua Ezeudu. Bredeson was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Rookie right tackle Evan Neal then left with knee injury and did not return. The seventh overall pick was replaced by Tyre Phillips.
Rookie receiver Wan’Dale Robinson had a team-high six catches for 50 yards a week after the second-rounder scored his first NFL touchdown as he returned from a knee injury.
Saquon Barkley, who has a lingering shoulder injury, was held to 18 yards on nine carries in the first half. He came up clutch down the stretch, though, and finished with 110 yards on 24 carries. He also caught four passes for 25 yards. Big Blue ran 39 times for 236 yards on the third-ranked rush defense.
Rookie TE Bellinger, who had scored in back-to-back games, suffered an eye injury and did not return. He was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
Defense
On Saturday, the G-Men elevated three-time Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins and defensive lineman Ryder Anderson from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game. Outside LB Quincy Roche was also signed to the active roster from the team’s practice squad. Collins, who was one of the NFL’s best safeties when he played his first four pro seasons with the Giants, returned to the team on Oct. 7. Collins spent the previous three seasons with the Washington Commanders.
Xavier McKinney punched the ball away from running back Travis Etienne Jr. Safety Julian recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback prior to half time. The Giants entered Sunday leading the league in fumble takeaways.
Run defense was an emphasis for the Giants, who have been stout in just about every other important category. But Travis Etienne Jr. ran for a career-high 114 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, including a long of 49. The defense made a clutch stand on fourth-and-short, stopping Trevor Lawrence on a quarterback sneak. Jones scored a go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing possession.
Special Teams
Graham Gano was perfect on three field goal attempts, two from 33 yards before his 34-yarder put the team ahead by six points with 1:04 left in the game. Corner Nick McCloud deflected an extra point attempt by Riley Patterson after the Jaguars retook the lead on the first possession of the second half.
In-Game Injury Report
NYG: G Ben Bredeson (knee), OT Evan Neal (knee), TE Daniel Bellinger (eye)
JAX: OL Cam Robinson (shoulder)
Giants Gridiron Affiliate Trophy Smack
goodnight 😊 pic.twitter.com/p1RMx4ubCl — New York Giants (@Giants) October 24, 2022