The New York Giants’ passing attack was virtually nonexistent in the first half of their Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Quarterback Daniel Jones, despite throwing a touchdown pass, finished the half with a staggering 0 passing yards on six attempts, becoming the first player since 1978 to achieve this dubious feat while attempting at least five passes.
Giants Lean on the Ground Game
With the aerial attack grounded, the Giants relied heavily on their rushing offense in the first half. The team amassed an impressive 142 yards on 21 carries, averaging a robust 6.8 yards per attempt. Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy led the charge with 10 carries for 50 yards, while Jones himself contributed 50 yards on five rushes.
“We were running it really well and effectively moving the ball, controlling the line of scrimmage,” Jones explained post-game. “Coach Daboll obviously felt that was working for us, and it was.”
– Daniel Jones on the Giants’ run-heavy approach
Despite the success on the ground, the Giants found themselves trailing 21-7 at halftime. Head coach Brian Daboll defended the game plan, asserting that it was not indicative of a lack of confidence in his struggling quarterback.
“We were going to run it until they stopped us. They did not stop us at all.”
– Guard Jon Runyan Jr. on the Giants’ commitment to the run
Passing Game Awakens, But Too Late
The Giants turned to the passing game in the second half, with Jones going 16-of-20 for 174 yards and another touchdown. However, the late aerial surge was not enough to overcome the deficit, as the Commanders held on for a 27-22 victory, completing the season sweep over their NFC East rivals for the first time since 2011.
Offensive Imbalance Raises Questions
The glaring absence of a passing threat in the first half raises concerns about the Giants’ offensive balance and Jones’ future with the team. The third-year quarterback has struggled to find consistency, and his inability to generate passing yardage, even in a run-heavy scheme, is alarming.
“I don’t call the plays, so I mean, I don’t know. When you run the clock out in the first half, you’re scratching in the second half to try to score points, as many as possible.”
– Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers on the Giants’ offensive approach
The loss drops the Giants to 2-7 on the season and 0-4 against their division rivals. As the team continues to search for answers on offense, the pressure mounts on both Jones and Daboll to find a more balanced and effective approach moving forward.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel Jones became the first QB since 1978 to throw for 0 yards in a half with 5+ attempts
- Giants relied heavily on the run game, averaging 6.8 yards per carry in the first half
- Despite success on the ground, Giants trailed 21-7 at halftime
- Passing game improved in the second half, but not enough to overcome the deficit
- Loss raises questions about the Giants’ offensive balance and Jones’ future with the team
As the Giants enter the second half of the season, they must find a way to strike a balance between their potent rushing attack and a more consistent passing game. The future of Daniel Jones and the direction of the franchise may very well depend on it.
