Maybe, just maybe, with Brian Daboll, it’s not the same ol’ Giants, after all.
It’s only Week 1, there’s plenty of regular season left to negate that theory. But, for now, the Giants gave their fan base plenty of reason to feel optimistic about what’s ahead.
Daboll, the first-time head coach, dialed up a gutsy – some call crazy – two-point conversion with 1:06 left, giving the Giants a 21-20 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Quarterback Daniel Jones redeemed himself from a costly interception earlier with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Chris Myarick. Daboll, however, chose not to play for a tie, instead passing on the extra point for a 2-point conversion attempt.
Jones found Saquon Barkley on a shovel pass to convert the go-ahead two points with 1:06 left to play.
The win for the Giants snapped a skid of five-straight losses in season openers.
Aggressive play calling from the head coach, a resilient showing from their maligned quarterback, and a resurgent performance from their stud running back. It all led to a feel-good road win for a team with plenty of questions heading into the season.
Barkley ran for 164 yards and a 4-yard TD, his best game since Dec. 22, 2019. Coming off a season where Barkley 100 yards rushing only once in 13 games, the Giants must be thrilled to watch their home run hitter look like he’s back to his old form.
There’s still work to do, as the defense almost let this feel-good win get away.
Three defensive penalties helped put the Titans in range for a game-winning Field Goal attempt from Randy Bullock. In recent years, the Giants fan base rightfully made peace with another heartbreaking defeat. However, Bullock pushed his kick wide left as time expired.
A tough loss for the Titans, last year’s AFC No. 1 seed, to start their season.
For the Giants, an exciting start to the Brian Daboll era.
Looking Ahead
The Giants host Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 (Sunday, September 18, 1pm ET FOX).
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
