The Daniel Jones bandwagon is suddenly more crowded than a New York subway train during rush hour.
New York Giants fans and NFL observers turned out en masse on social media to salute the quarterback after his incredible performance in Sunday’s 31-24 Wild Card playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Many of these same fans were mad and/or puzzled the Giants invested the No. 6 overall pick on Jones in 2019, and many booed as he struggled in his first three seasons.
No one’s booing now. Jones competed 24-of-35 attempts for 301 yards and two touchdowns Sunday while adding 78 rushing yards. According to NFL Research, he joins Lamar Jackson and Steve Young as the only players with more than 300 yards passing and 70 yards rushing in a postseason game
Jones was on target with his passes, and seemed confident — exactly what you want from your QB in a playoff game.
The Giants are shredding the Vikings' defense so far!
Daniel Jones to Isaiah Hodgins for the latest TD, and it's 14-7 New York. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/mGLJpjS5aL
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 15, 2023
“D..J. came out here and played a great game … he’s a special player,” Giants running back Saquon Barkley told Fox Sports after the game.
While many fans were ready to give up on Jones, Giants co-owner John Mara gave him a huge vote of confidence after last season, saying, “We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here. We certainly have not given up on Daniel Jones.”
Now, under new head coach Brian Daboll, Jones is paying dividends for the Giants, and earning praise from fans.
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg tweeted, “Daniel Jones is what happens when you have elite coaching.”
Daniel Jones is what happens when you have elite coaching. #Giants
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 15, 2023
Fox Sports’ Skip Bayless tweeted, “Must admit I’ve come to admire Daniel Jones. Man has guts and resilience. After 4 long years taking NY criticism, he’s finally starting to figure it out and settle in and maximize his 6-5, 230-pd, 4.7-40 potential. As a Cowboy fan, I don’t fear him. But I respect him.”
Must admit I've come to admire Daniel Jones. Man has guts and resilience. After 4 long years taking NY criticism, he's finally starting to figure it out and settle in and maximize his 6-5, 230-pd, 4.7-40 potential. As a Cowboy fan, I don't fear him. But I respect him.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 15, 2023
Former NFL player Darius Butler tweeted, “Daniel Jones dialed IN right now.”
Daniel Jones dialed IN right now.
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) January 15, 2023
“Did Daniel Jones put on muscle? I feel like he’s gone from a boy to a man this year,” tweeted Dan Katz of Barstool Sports.
Did Daniel Jones put on muscle? I feel like he’s gone from a boy to a man this year. What a jaw. pic.twitter.com/i1AADFMie7
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 15, 2023
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt tweeted, “Daniel Jones has as many career playoff wins as Dak Prescott.”
Daniel Jones has as many career playoff wins as Dak Prescott.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 16, 2023
