EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As soon as Daniel Jones scrambled to pick up a game-clinching first down with under two minutes to go in Sunday’s game, kicker Graham Gano picked up his hat and a ball he’d been kicking into his practice net. He made his way to the stands, handed his hat and a ball to a child, then returned to the sidelines.
He was able to finally relax.
Jones’ run might have iced the Giants’ 19-16 victory over the Panthers, but it was Gano’s perfect day — 4-for-4 on field goals, including a game-winning 56-yarder in the fourth quarter — that propelled the Giants to victory. For an offense that has struggled to find its footing Sunday, Gano’s kicking was a constant. And it was necessary. The offense didn’t afford themselves many scoring opportunities, so Gano had to make the most of them. Every time he was called upon, he did it.
He was the one who set the scoring pace from start to finish. The Giants reached 2-0 for the first-time since 2016. This made some MetLife Stadium fans happy.
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 18, 2022
Their joy was quite a contrast to the boos that they gave the Giants at halftime, when the team was tied 6-6. Though Gano came through at every opportunity, Daniel Jones and the offense struggled for much of Sunday’s contest.
Jones struggled to get going in the first half. He managed just four first downs, and only 60 yards total. By game’s end, Jones finished with 176 passing yards. Only one touchdown was scored.
“It wasn’t perfect, especially on offense,” Jones said. “Execution-wise, there’s a lot to clean up for us. Slow start in the first part, picked up in the second but there are many areas we can improve upon. We were satisfied with our performance. We made enough plays to win the game, and that’s something to build off of.”
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The Giants’ coaches were most impressed by the way the offense finished the game, with the quarterback finishing the final touches. Jones faked a handoff for running back on third-and-6, less than two minutes left. Matt Breida. After a slight stumble, he redirected his efforts and raced up the middle of the field for a first down. Mike Kafka, the offensive coordinator, recommended Jones use of the bootleg because it gave Jones the chance to use his legs if necessary. Jones stated that he felt they were able to match running back Saquon BarkleyOn his route, he saw a path and chose it.
Coach Brian Daboll said it’s been a good two weeks for Jones, who made the right decision with the ball under pressure in a critical situation.
“I think it’s important to show players that you have faith in them,” Daboll said. “They work their asses off during the week. They’ve worked their asses off during camp. They’re the ones out there playing on Sunday, and you have to put it in their hands when it counts the most. And that’s what Kafka did with Daniel, and Daniel made the right decision.”
Keep grinding pic.twitter.com/eisDE9NIBP
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 18, 2022
One of Jones’ best traits might be his short-term memory. After a disjointed start against the TitansLast week, Jones and Saquon barkley made a double-digit comeback. The fourth quarter was a disaster in Tennessee. Jones, however, turned it around and led a touchdown series the next series.
Jones’ poise has been a frequent topic since the spring, with quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney mentioning it this week. Tierney noted that Jones is able to quickly recover from a bad play in practice, preparing him for the real challenges of games. This week offered a fresh opportunity to impress.
For Jones, putting the first half behind him, maintaining composure and doing the simple things better in the second half equaled enough to win Sunday’s game.
“Most of these are, like today, a three-point game and comes down to the last possession, comes down to one score,” Jones said. “You can’t afford to worry about the last play or let that affect any decision you are going to make going forward. I’ve certainly learned that over my career, and that’s something I’m always trying to do better and to focus on. I think it’s an important part of playing the position.”
There were many bad sequences Sunday, including the quick three-and out to begin the second period. Jones made a comeback with the next offensive possession. Richie JamesAnd Tanner Hudson on passes before finding Daniel Bellinger in the end zone for the Giants’ lone touchdown of the day. In the fourth quarter, he helped the Giants get into field goal range twice more. Gano continued his success, including the game-winning 56 yarder.
First TD for the Rook🙌
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/H02rYFLZQG
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 18, 2022
Gano assured Daboll before he set out to make the nearly 60-yard attempt.
“Then, I got out there, and I was like ‘Man, this is a long one. The wind is blowing our way,’” Gano said.
Gano, now in his third year with the Giants has every right to feel confident about his ability to play long distance. Gano has already kicked 14 field goals of at least 50 yards, which is a record for the franchise. He set the team’s single-season record with seven such field goals in 2021.
“Those 50-plus yarders are special,” Gano said. “Everything has to go right on them. It’s a lot different than hitting a 30-yarder. Even though I had missed a 30-yarder earlier in this game, my heart was still beating because we won the fumble recovery. I was in field goal range when I realized I needed to calm down my heart rate. Although 50-yarders can be fun, not everything must go according to plan. So I guess you could say it’s a lot more fun when you make those.”
For the second consecutive week, the Giants certainly had lots of fun.
(Photo of Graham Gano: Robert Deutsch / USA Today)
