Daniel Jones made quite the impression in his first NFL start. The Duke product completed 23-of-36 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns, and added two touchdowns on the ground in the New York Giants’ 32-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The second touchdown was particularly crucial. With the Giants trailing 31-25 and facing a 4th-and-5 with just over a minute remaining, Jones ran for a go-ahead touchdown.
CLUTCH GENE!!!
Daniel Jones scrambles for the TD on 4th down to give the Giants the lead!!!#NYGvsTB pic.twitter.com/9OPgG9q1uj
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2019
The sixth overall pick of the 2019 draft looked like a veteran in the pocket, and tossed dimes all over the field.
Daniel Jones is running that two-minute offense to perfection 👀#NYGvsTB pic.twitter.com/5mVwFXoxyl
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2019
Daniel Jones ➡️ Evan Engram for a 75-yard TD.
The future is here for the New York @Giants.#NYGvsTB pic.twitter.com/0XkYZ9me5d
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2019
DANIEL JONES IS THREADING THE NEEDLE 😎 pic.twitter.com/nLayVivl4f
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 22, 2019
Daniel Jones is ballin out 👀 @Daniel_Jones10 pic.twitter.com/3ltNfjpiwQ
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 22, 2019
Jones’ emergence is even more important with the Giants losing star running back Saquon Barkley to an ankle injury.
Details on #SaquonBarkley @Giants likely high ankle sprain at https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG. pic.twitter.com/K2EFDHV9gi
— David J. Chao (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2019
A sprained ankle wasn't going to stop Saquon from celebrating Daniel Jones' first dub 🤣🤣🤣 @saquon pic.twitter.com/ELCVGXR7cT
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 22, 2019
Even with Jones’ big day and go-ahead touchdown, the Giants were lucky to escape with a 32-31 victory. Tampa Bay rookie kicker Matt Gay missed a 34-yarder as time ran out.
The ending: #Bucs rookie kicker Matt Gay misses a 34-yard game winning FG attempt. #Giants get their first win of the season.
Daniel Jones in his debut: 26/36, 336 yards, 2 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs, 0 INTs.pic.twitter.com/GI65wAFov0
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2019
But — outside of Tampa Bay — the story from this game is that the Giants may have found their new franchise quarterback. Sunday’s performance would certainly suggest they have.
Jones and the Giants have a great chance to get their record to 2-2 with a home game against the Washington Redskins in Week 4. The line for the game is the Giants are favored by 3 points. If you believe in ‘Danny Dimes’ you could make some good money with Sportsbet.