New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has faced a lot of criticism throughout his career. Nonetheless, Jones has turned his critics into believers one after another, most recently by leading the Giants to the playoffs, where they toppled the third-placed Minnesota Vikings.
This weekend, he’ll look to lead his team again to a win over the top-flight Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, a team the Giants have lost to twice this season and haven’t won a game against since October 2013.
But the always steadfast Jones, who has built a clinic when it comes to blocking out the noise around him and the team, continued to show the laser-like focus shown game after game this year where his decision-making and leadership lay have undoubtedly developed by leaps and bounds.
“Yes, it’s a great opportunity for us to still play. This is where you want to be and play these big games. It’s a great opportunity for us, but in terms of our approach and preparation, it will be consistent with what we’ve been doing all year. We know this is how we prepare to give our best on Saturday.”
Jones and his teammates, many of whom have never been in the NFL playoffs prior to last weekend’s wild card game, now have some experience in the field. And the fourth-year quarterback was practically perfect against the Vikings, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 78 rushing yards on 17 carries to become the first player in NFL history with more than 300 passing yards, 2+ Passing touchdowns and getting 70+ rushing yards in a postseason game.
The challenge ahead will be the toughest yet for the Giants this postseason. The Eagles’ defense finished second division in the lowest average yards allowed during the regular season and dominated the league in sacks (70), two shy of the NFL season record.
“They have good players and they know how to get quarterback. We’ll have a plan for these guys and we have a lot of faith in our guys up front. They have played well all year and will be ready.”
But Jones and his teammates don’t have time to fear the Eagles, not when they’re on the journey of their young lives and one they don’t want to see end anytime soon.
Jones is, as expected, calm before the storm taking on this aggressive passing rush from the Eagles who sacked him four times in their Week 14 meeting (substitute Tyrod Taylor was sacked the other three times) (he didn’t play in the second meeting) . at week 18). The reason is his trust in his blockers.
One of the guys at the top who was outstanding is on the left against Andrew Thomas. Thomas was named to the AP’s All-Pro Second Team, a huge honor for Daniel Jones’ blindside protector. Thomas has been a wall in left tackle for the past two seasons, changing his narrative from one of the worst tackles in the league to one of the best.
“I’ve always had great faith in Andrew,” Jones said. “I think he was rock solid. Like anyone who plays that position, you have to learn some things early on, but I thought he learned them quickly and there’s nobody playing at a higher level in that position in the league right now. Big credit to him; He’s an incredible player. If you saw how he works and how he approaches every day, you wouldn’t be surprised.”
Jones also believes in his abilities as teammates, one of the receivers being Isaiah Hodgins, who is making his own comeback story. Hodgins was waived by the Bills and claimed by the Giants in November. Since then, he has rallied for 456 yards and five touchdowns, including a 105-yard streak with a touchdown last week against the Vikings, and has become one of Jones’ favorite targets.
“I think if you’re just trying to find those opportunities during the game, you can watch a little bit on tape and see how they handled some of those situations, but I think it’s mostly about reacting in the game . ‘ Jones said.
“The boys – you raised Isaiah – I think he has a good sense of it, a good sense of opening up and making games, some of those loose games that aren’t necessarily what you expect them to be. I think it’s just about reacting and finding people in those situations.”
The deeper the upcoming unrestricted free agent takes the Giants into the postseason, the more he’s likely to benefit from his next contract. There’s already talk that he’s likely to make upwards of $35 million a year on a short-term (three-year) contract, which could mean that if he continues to rise as a quarterback, he could eventually land a Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen-type could reach deal shortly.
But Jones isn’t worried about the long-term. He’s too focused on dealing with some unfinished business against the Eagles standing in the way of the Giants in their first NFC Championship game appearance since 2011.
“I definitely appreciate the support, but like I said, we’re focused on what we have to do this week, what’s ahead of us now and that’s all that matters,” he said. “For each of us, that’s what you do next week and next opportunity, so that’s what I’m focusing on.”
The next opportunity is great. A chance to beat the team that has been hyped all season. If Jones can lead this team to a win in Philadelphia, respect will only grow.