{"id":106078,"date":"2022-10-24T01:20:06","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T01:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/things-i-think-after-giants-jaguars-insanity-rules\/"},"modified":"2022-10-24T01:20:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T01:20:06","slug":"things-i-think-after-giants-jaguars-insanity-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/things-i-think-after-giants-jaguars-insanity-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Things I think’ after Giants-Jaguars: Insanity rules"},"content":{"rendered":"
At the risk of drawing a comparison, when I was a kid growing up in upstate New York, there was a car salesman named ‘CRAZY Eddie’ who used to do television commercials screaming that his prices were \u201cINSANE!\u201d<\/p>\n
I couldn’t help thinking about that Sunday. The final few seconds of Sunday’s 23-17 victory by the Giants over the Jacksonville Jaguars were INSANE. The fact that the Giants are 6-1 is INSANE. <\/p>\n
Nobody saw this coming. The Giants, though are 6-1. I think it is impossible at this point not to think they actually are a good football team. Las Vegas oddsmakers didn’t believe it entering Sunday, having made the Giants underdogs to Jacksonville, which entered the game 2-4 and left 2-5. <\/p>\n
We have now seen the same basic scenario play out week after week for the Giants. Keep games close, rely on Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and their defense late, watch the other team make more mistakes down the stretch, and make just enough plays to get the job done.<\/p>\n
I can’t help but think about the conversation I had recently with former NFL GM Michael Lombardi. Here is part of what Lombardi said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they’ve done a wonderful job of managing the game, of staying attached to their opponents, of getting the game into the fourth quarter. And then in the fourth quarter, they’ve been very good. And they’ve been able to win the fourth quarter and overcome some obstacles.<\/p>\n
The 9-1 dream is alive. Until it isn’t. How good can the Giants be and how far can they go? I suspect we will learn a lot more about that over the season’s final seven games when the Philadelphia Eagles (twice), Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts will be on the schedule. Oh, yes, also two games with the Washington Commanders.<\/p>\n
I’m buying that there is a chance the Giants can get to 9-1. I don’t think I’m ready to buy \u2014 yet \u2014 that the Giants are a team that can make a deep playoff run. <\/p>\n
I think, though, that it is becoming increasingly obvious that what they are doing is not a fluke. It’s happening far too often, and in far too similar a fashion.<\/p>\n
The Giants, for what it’s worth, are justifiably tired of the ‘when will you start getting some respect’ question.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really don’t even care for that question anymore,\u201d McKinney said. \u201cI’m kind of tired of answering it because it’s the same thing every week. Obviously, we know that. I really don’t care. We don’t care as a team. The only thing we can do is keep focusing on what we can do and keep getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel Jones said after the game that he was \u201cdisappointed\u201d in himself for his uncharacteristically emotional reaction when wide receiver Marcus Johnson dropped a third quarter fourth-down pass that should have been a first down and might have been a touchdown on Sunday.<\/p>\n
I think, quite honestly, Jones has nothing to apologize for. Giants’ fans, and the Giants themselves, should be thrilled that Jones \u2014 who showed some fire a few times on Sunday \u2014 is becoming comfortable enough to demand better of his teammates.<\/p>\n
Here is what Jones said about letting his emotions show:<\/p>\n
\u201cHeat of the moment. I wish I could have that situation back. I pride myself on being composed in those situations and I wasn’t there. I’ve got full faith and confidence in Marcus, and disappointed I let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sorry, but the way Jones is playing and as much as he is doing for a limited Giants’ offense, he has every right to want more from his teammates.<\/p>\n
Jones has had better statistical performances than Sunday’s 19 of 30 for 202 yards and a touchdown game. It was never more apparent Sunday, though, that Jones has become a leader, maybe THE leader, of the Giants. Oh, and it is becoming increasingly hard to argue that Jones is not playing like a quality NFL starting quarterback.<\/p>\n
\nKeep telling yourself Daniel Jones isn’t any good. Or actually watch a Giants game this year.<\/p>\n