One Giants Step Forward for Brian Daboll

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Week One

Giants   21

Titans   20

Saquon Barkley Rushes Giants to Daylight

Bill Parcells once said a 47-yard field goal attempt is no easy task.  Just ask Scott Norwood.  But instead of wide right, Sunday's kick hooked left to give the Giants a 21-20 victory over one of last season's more formidable teams.

Congratulations to head coach Brian Daboll on his first win as Giants coach.  Give the man credit for making a bold decision.  Coach got away with it and deserved a day to glow.  As a fan, I thank him for guiding Big Blue to their first opening-day victory in many years.

But if the first quarter made you want to change the channel, I don't blame you - three possessions, twelve plays, and three punts.  When Daniel Jones fumbled to open the second quarter, years of frustration rushed to the forefront of my mind.  

However, the defense twice held Tennessee to a field goal on consecutive drives, limiting the Giants' deficit to 13-0 by halftime.  This proved decisive.  

Ryan Tannehill was not under much duress.  He was 20/33 for 266 yards with two touchdowns, one sack, and five QB hits.  But the Giants limited Derrick Henry to 82 yards rushing, and if you take away his long of 18 yards, Henry rushed 24 times for only 64 yards.

The Giants scored all their points in the second half.  There are many ways to interpret the performance of Daniel Jones.  On the one hand, an end zone interception, a lost fumble, and failure to connect with Sterling Shepard in stride beg the question: where's the improvement?  On the other hand, Jones failed to complete only four of 21 attempts, converted a huge fourth down, and threw two touchdowns.  Take from that what you will.

Saquon Barkley was the clear star of the game.  Take away his third-quarter 68-yard romp, and he still rushed 17 times for 96 yards with a touchdown and the go-ahead two-point conversion.  Saquon was strong through the middle, beat Tennesse to the edges, and with six catches, totaled 194 yards of offense.  Did he get away with a lost fumble punched out from behind?  That's for Coach Daboll to address.