Daniel Jones expressed his disappointment over the “very frustrating” loss to the Carolina Panthers, a setback that highlights the New York Giants’ struggles in their challenging 2-8 season.
The team has much to reflect on during their bye week.
“I’m not sure [that] it’s one thing consistently,” Jones remarked after the Giants’ first defeat in an international regular-season match in Munich. “I think several things, and we’ve got to be dialed in on all those critical elements that determine winning and losing.”
A sluggish start hindered the Giants, who found themselves scoreless until the third quarter in a nail-biting 20-17 overtime defeat. Jones faced pressure, being sacked twice and throwing two interceptions, contributing to the team’s fifth straight loss.
As the Giants trailed 17-7, Jones showcased determination by running for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, culminating a 13-play, 96-yard drive that consumed nearly seven minutes. He later led a 12-play drive that tied the game with a 42-yard field goal from Graham Gano, forcing overtime.
“It’s very frustrating,” Jones stated. “We came up short, and obviously, we hurt ourselves a lot. Turnovers were a critical factor in the game. Very frustrating.”
When Giants edge rusher Brian Burns, a former Panther, sacked Bryce Young on the opening drive, it appeared the day might be tough for Carolina. However, the Panthers quickly took control, leading 10-0 at halftime thanks to Young’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Tavion Sanders and Eddy Pineiro’s impressive 53-yard field goal. The Giants, who entered the game with the league’s lowest scoring total at 139 points, only found the end zone when Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“We’ve got to get off to a faster start and stay on the field, sustain drives in the first half,” Jones emphasized.
Tracy’s fumble on the Giants’ first play in overtime proved costly. Josey Jewell recovered the ball at the 23-yard line, setting up Pineiro’s 36-yard field goal that sealed the victory for Carolina.
Coach Brian Daboll noted he never considered benching Jones at halftime, believing they could generate momentum, which they did.
With a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scheduled for November 24, the Giants have two weeks to regroup and reassess their strategies.
“Obviously, we’re not where we want to be,” Daboll concluded. “We’ll evaluate things during the bye week and make the necessary adjustments.”
