Trouble brewing in the Big Apple?
For the third time this season, the Giants put up an embarrassing performance in primetime, as New York fell to Seattle 24-3 at MetLife Stadium on "Monday Night Football." It was a night to forget for Giants QB Daniel Jones, who threw two interceptions, including a pick-six and lost a fumble en route to the loss.
"Obviously, I didn't play well enough," Jones said after the loss. "It was unacceptable and I let the team down."
The quarterback, who just signed a four-year, $160 million deal this offseason, has struggled to start the 2023 season. Monday night marked the third time this season that Jones has been benched late in a game, with head coach Brian Daboll instead electing to give backup Tyrod Taylor the final drive.
It has led many to question whether or not the quarterback's starting job is at risk. The Giants are on the verge of having their season be over before it can even begin, and Jones has been the root of the issue.
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Here's what Daboll had to say after the game about Jones' security going forward:
Will the Giants bench Daniel Jones?
After the game, Daboll was asked whether or not any changes would be made, either with the staff, the personnel on the field or the play-calling. The second-year head coach kept his answer short, declining to commit to any changes in the immediate.
Brian Daboll says he doesn't plan on making any staff, personnel, or play-calling changes: pic.twitter.com/ZxjJcM2efB
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 3, 2023
So, for now, Jones seems firmly entrenched as the team's starter despite the turnover woes and ineffectiveness behind a porous offensive line.
That said, Daboll seemingly reached the boiling point with his quarterback on Monday night. The Giants head coach and Jones had an exchange on the sidelines after the pick-six that led to an iPad being thrown by Daboll.
Brian Daboll getting on Daniel Jones. Help me out @Jomboy_ pic.twitter.com/77ghNXEuUJ
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 3, 2023
Daboll is done pic.twitter.com/9e6EXXN5u1
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) October 3, 2023
Daboll explained after the game that the sideline exchange between himself and Jones was about reviewing what the quarterback saw on the play. However, he gave a blunt answer when asked what he was looking for from his quarterback.
Brian Daboll briefly discusses the tablet incident caught on ESPN, doesn't want to get into details
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 3, 2023
Q: "What did you want him to do on that play?"
BD: "Obviously not throw an interception" pic.twitter.com/eeAuRMP1x5
It's impossible to put all the blame on Jones. New York was dealing with a makeshift offensive line, as the absence of star tackle Andrew Thomas was coupled with the mid-game injury to center John Michael Schmitz Jr. The result: Ten sacks on Jones.
However, Jones did himself no favors with the three turnovers that led to 17 of Seattle's 24 points. To make matters worse, the Seahawks knew what to look out for with him, as Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon revealed the team "knew he liked to stare down his first target" to NFL Network's Judy Battista after the win.
Daniel Jones stats today
It was another poor day at the office for Jones on "Monday Night Football."
The New York signal caller statistically improved upon his showing from last week, but the turnovers were a major issue. Jones finished his day with two interceptions and on a fumble on 27 of 34 passing. He accumulated 203 yards through the air and an additional 66 on the ground, but he could not find the end zone.
Jones was stripped sacked in the first quarter by Mario Edwards Jr., which directly led to the DK Metcalf touchdown two play later. Then, he threw a back-breaking pick-six late in the third quarter, as Devon Witherspoon picked off the Giants QB and took it 97 yards to the house.
"Terrible decision, awful mistake," Jones said after the game. "Can't afford to do that."
A fourth-quarter interception thrown by Jones was the final dagger for New York. Seattle took the ball and immediately drove down the field, setting for a field goal to give Pete Carroll's crew a three-score lead.
It only gets harder on the schedule for New York. The Giants travel to face the Dolphins next week before heading to Buffalo for a Sunday night matchup against the Bills.
If Jones doesn't turn things around, and fast, it could get real ugly for Big Blue.
