Giants Country

Giants Shredded By Miami, 31-16

Quarterback Daniel Jones suffers neck injury in yet another embarrassing loss.

Joe Najarian

Giants Shredded By Miami, 31-16
Giants Shredded By Miami, 31-16 /
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The New York Giants fell to 1-4 on the season after losing to the Miami Dolphins, 31-16.

New York’s defense, which hadn’t forced a turnover in its first four games, forced three turnovers. However, this came at a significant cost, as Miami’s fearsome offense racked up 524 total yards, including 222 rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Giants’ offense remained ineffective, with just 269 total yards and only 86 on the ground.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones completed 14 of his 20 passes and rushed for 25 yards but threw for just 119 yards and was once again victimized by his team’s atrocious offensive line. He was sacked six times by Miami’s defense, and the last one forced him to leave the game with a neck injury.

Daniel Jones Exits Dolphins Game with Neck Injury

Tight end Darren Waller caught eight passes for 86 yards. Running back Eric Gray was the Giants’ leading rusher, with just 25 yards on 12 carries.

The Dolphins ' offense went to work after the Giants were forced to punt on the game’s opening drive. They stormed 89 yards in just eight plays, with three plays of 20+ yards: a 24-yard run by De’Von Achane and receptions of 20 and 23 yards by Jalen Waddle and Cedrick Wilson Jr., respectively. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Waddle for an early 7-0 lead.

New York’s offense responded by advancing into Miami territory, highlighted by a 15-yard completion to Darius Slayton (who was injured during the play). But they wouldn’t get any further than the Miami 30, and the drive ended in no points when Gano missed a 55-yard field goal attempt.

The Giants quickly got the ball back when their defense forced its first turnover of the season; safety Xavier McKinney forced a fumble for Achane, and Kayvon Thibodeaux jumped on the loose ball. Unfortunately, New York’s offense immediately went three-and-out, and Achane atoned for his mistake by sprinting 76 yards to the end zone to give the Dolphins a 14-0 lead.

Surprisingly, the Giants would score the next 10 points to get themselves back into striking distance. On their ensuing drive, they moved 44 yards in 13 plays, featuring a pair of receptions by Darren Waller for 34 yards, and Gano kicked a 49-yard field goal to put the Giants on the board.

The Dolphins could enter New York’s red zone thanks to a 64-yard reception by Tyreek Hill and eventually drove to the 4-yard line. However, on 3rd and Goal, Tagovailoa’s pass intended for Waddle was intercepted by Jason Pinnock in the end zone, and he returned it 102 yards for a touchdown. It was the Giants’ first touchdown in the first half all season, and they were suddenly back in the game, only trailing 14-10.

However, the Dolphins would reassert themselves and control the rest of the game. With one minute and 40 seconds before halftime, they drove 50 yards in nine plays before ending the half on a 40-yard field goal by Jason Sanders, giving them a seven-point lead with the second-half kickoff coming their way. It took Miami just three plays to score into the second half, as Hill caught a deep pass from Tagovailoa and scampered off for a 69-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 24-10.

The Giants had another excellent chance to get back in the game, as linebacker Bobby Okereke intercepted Tagovailoa deep in Dolphins territory. But despite having the ball at the Miami 23, the Giants’ offense could only move four yards and had to settle for Gano’s 37-yard field goal.

Miami responded by creating more distance, marching 75 yards in eight plays. Running back Raheem Mostert ripped off a 23-yard run to enter the red zone and ended the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins now led 31-13, and the game was out of reach for New York’s struggling offense.

The Giants eventually added three more points as Gano kicked his third field goal of the day, but not before losing Jones to a neck injury he sustained while taking a sack from Andrew Van Ginkel. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor would eventually lead a 13-play, 66-yard drive to the Miami 19-yard line, but the Giants would turn the ball over on downs with under two minutes left in the game.

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Joe Najarian
JOE NAJARIAN

Joe Najarian, a Rutgers University graduate, covered Rutgers Football and Rutgers Baseball during an eight-month stint with Jersey Sporting News (JSN).

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