This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
As a Giants fan, that was a frustrating game. As someone who left Carson Wentz on his bench in two leagues, it was infuriating. Its only redeeming quality was the Giants covering the 4.5-point spread.
- Daniel Jones is fast.
- In all seriousness, I'm starting to sour on Jones (80-yard run and near TD, but for a trip on the 10-yard line notwithstanding) as the long-term solution. I love his toughness, work ethic and athleticism, he can make all the throws and it's not his fault Evan Engram (who is terrible) dropped the would-be game-winning perfect pass. But the lack of pocket awareness, epitomized by the sack/fumble on the final drive, is getting tough to take. He just doesn't have a feel for it, and I'm not sure it's something you can learn. The offensive line isn't doing him any favors, but he makes them look worse than they are too. That said, he could still be useful (92 rushing yards, two pass TDs) when the Giants draw softer opponents (Weeks 12-15.)
- Wayne Gallman (10-34-1, 5-5-20), showed something against a tough defense, and that's even with the refs blowing dead for God knows what reason a run where he added four extra yards. Devonta Freeman (3-8-0) hurt his ankle in the third quarter, but hadn't gotten much work to that point anyway. Dion Lewis had three carries but lost a fumble. Gallman might be starting next week, albeit against the league's toughest run defense (Buccaneers.)
- Sterling Shepard (8-6-59-1) was back and made an impact, and Golden Tate made one big play, a 39-yard TD catch, while Darius Slayton (who left the game briefly) and drew Darius Slay was quiet (4-2-23.) I've noted this before, but what are the odds the only two players whose last names start in Slay would both be named Darius?
- Engram is not good. I watched the edited version of the game, so I couldn't tell whether Jones' pick that went off his hands was Engram's fault, but the drop on the perfect sideline throw on a would-be likely game-sealing first down was brutal. Engram is a Chase Claypool-level athlete, but he rarely makes big plays, he's error-prone and often-injured. Athleticism sometimes isn't enough. If the Giants could deal him for a fourth rounder, I'd take it.
- Wentz is a beast. He's not as fast as Jones, but he sticks his head in there to get first downs, and he scored his fifth rushing TD in seven games. In retrospect, my decision to start Joe Burrow over him in two leagues was bad process. Wentz also threw for 359 yards and two TDs, though his interception was an unforced error.
- Boston Scott did more or less what you'd expect against a solid front (12-46-0), but he made up for it as a receiver (5-3-46-1.) DeSean Jackson (5-3-34, with one carry for 12 yards) got involved early on, but left with a leg injury. It's tough staying healthy in the NFL at 33 while weighing 175 pounds.
- Travis Fulgham (11-5-73) wasn't especially efficient with James Bradberry sometimes on him, but he's the number one receiver by a mile right now. Richard Rodgers (8-6-85) and Greg Ward (6-5-42-1) also were involved.
- It's hard to believe the Giants, up 21-10, with 6:21 left coughed up that game. They could have been divisional contenders! Maybe the loss will push them to deal for some draft picks, though.
