New York Giants QB Daniel Jones: Calmness Personified with Big Game Ahead
With the New York Giants needing just one win to clinch a playoff spot, quarterback Daniel Jones is also one win away from making his postseason debut.
Jones has been a major factor in the Giants’ surprising success this year. He has set career bests in completions (298), completion percentage (66.5), passing yards (3,028) and passer rating (90.7).
In addition to throwing 13 passes against just five interceptions, Jones also set franchise records with his legs for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 617. He scored five rushing touchdowns, recorded 49 first downs and only hit the ball. twice this year.
More importantly, Jones’ play has consistently put the Giants in a position to win. But the Giants signal-caller, known for his team-first mentality, highlighted his teammates when describing his role on offense.
“A quarterback’s job is to distribute the ball where it needs to go and give guys a chance to make plays,” Jones told us. “We have a lot of players on our team, people who have stepped up all year and done that for us. I think when a quarterback is doing his job, he can put guys in a position to make a play.”
That focus on playing a team game on offense, along with Jones’ improved ability to improvise and extend plays, has allowed the Giants’ offense to come up in some clutch situations and compile an 8-6-1 record. up to 15 games.
With two games left in the regular season, the Giants need to win one to punch their ticket to the postseason. The first of those two opportunities will be against the Indianapolis Colts on New Year’s Day, New York’s final home game of the season.
Naturally, the MetLife Stadium crowd will be loud and electrifying with so much on the line, but Jones believes the atmosphere has been present at every home game this year, regardless of the stakes.
“We’ve felt a lot of support and energy from them all year,” Jones said. “We certainly expect that on Sunday. We appreciate the support and are excited to get out there.”
The Giants are 3.5 point favorites against the Colts, who have struggled mightily all season and are currently 4-10-1. Still, the Colts rank 11th in total defense, and Jones knows they can’t be taken lightly.
“They are a good group defensively. They are consistent, do what they need to do and are in the right places. Don’t overinflate assignments or give too many of them,” Jones said.
“If you’re prepared and ready to go, you’re ready to put your best foot forward and put the team in a position to win. That’s what I’m focused on, I’m just preparing every day as best I can,” he added when asked about the team’s preparation for the game.
But even with good preparation, there is still considerable pressure on Jones and the Giants to perform. A loss would force the Giants to win on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles in the final game of the regular season.
The Eagles currently have the best record in the NFL (13-2) and are looking to clinch the NFC East (needing a win or a loss by the Dallas Cowboys), so trying to beat them to clinch a spot in the playoffs it would be a very difficult task.
However, those consequences are not on Jones’ mind at the moment. He is laser focused on what the team needs to do to win. Great teams play to win rather than not lose, and Jones knows that well.
“At this level, there is always pressure, there are always expectations. Our goal is always to go 1-0 that week and win the game,” Jones said. “The implications of it and how that’s going to play out down the road, I don’t think we’re worried about that or thinking too much about it. What we’re focused on is playing as well as we can.”
Even though the focus is on the task at hand, Jones still relishes the opportunity to make meaningful plays and is proud of his team as they prepare for one on Sunday.
“That’s why you play, you put a lot of time and effort and energy into getting the opportunity to do this, and we haven’t had that opportunity in years past,” Jones said.
“I am very proud of this team. We have improved week by week and we have fought hard. I think we are a tough group. We compete a lot week after week. We have been successful and we have also struggled through some difficult times. It’s a strong, competitive group and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
