Grading the Giants’ 27-22 loss to the Commanders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Offense
Daniel Jones got off to a slow start and finished up 20 of 26 and all 174 of his passing yards came in the second half.
He had two touchdown passes, he ran for another TD and gained 54 yards on the ground. His passer rating was 119.7.
The one big blemish was the first-quarter sack-fumble caused by a horrendous non-block by LT Chris Hubbard on Dante Fowler.
Nice leaping grab in the end zone early in the second quarter by seldom-targeted TE Chris Manhertz.
Malik Nabers had eight of his nine catches after halftime but only 59 receiving yards.
Theo Johnson (3-51) broke free for a 35-yard TD. Tyrone Tracy (16-66) and Devin Singletary (7-33) did most of their damage in the first half.
There were 25 first downs, 2-for-2 on fourth down and 32 minutes of possession. More points are needed, though.
Grade: C
Defense
This was a truly bad showing by a unit that was at its worst when it needed to be at its best.
Way too many long conversions given up at critical moments in the second half.
Rookie Jayden Daniels (15 of 22, 209 yards, 2 TDs) was not sacked and there were only two quarterback hits (both by Azeez Ojulari).
Deonte Banks looks as if he is lost.
He bit on a double-move from Terry McLaurin on an 18-yard TD late in the second quarter after giving up a 1-yard scoring pass to McLaurin — his only two receptions all game.
Terrible missed tackle by rookie Dru Phillips on Dyami Brown in the final seconds of the first half.
When a stop was needed, the Commanders ran out the final 2:48 with ease. Brian Burns had a pass deflection but otherwise was quiet.
Dexter Lawrence did not get near Daniels.
Grade: F
Special teams
New kicker Jude McAtamney made his NFL debut with four touchbacks and one extra point.
Matt Haack’s first punt wobbled out of bounds for only 32 yards.
He later had a 60-yarder that netted 52 yards with solid coverage.
Tomon Fox cost his team eight yards on punt coverage with a penalty for a blindside block.
Eric Gray averaged 26 yards on four kickoff returns.
Grade: B
Coaching
Is Brian Daboll designing these lousy two-point conversion plays?
They aren’t even close.
He insists he did not lose any confidence in Jones with all the running in the first half, but only seven points at halftime was not ideal.
Daboll won a replay challenge early in the fourth quarter disputing a spot, resulting in a first down.
Shane Bowen’s defense is finding it exceedingly difficult to get off the field and to prevent big plays.
When the pass rush is not getting home, the back end is badly exposed.
Grade: D
