danny dimes goes dim

 Another primetime game, another loss. 

Like every week, New York started the game down 7-0 after allowing the other team to take the lead in the most embarrassing way possible. This time the defense played a nearly perfect first drive getting one of the best offenses in the league to a third-and-18 situation. Except on this play, the entire defense took to the left side of the field, leaving a capable Joe Burrow to scramble down the right side for a 47-yard touchdown essentially untouched. This marked the longest run of his career.

DJ responded with a strong drive down to the Cincinnati 14-yard line, but then threw one of the worst interceptions you'll see all season. Instead of throwing it away on first down Jones was hit as he threw, lobbing a pass directly to the Bengals linebacker.

image via Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images

An underwhelming first half came to an end with the score still 7-0 as the Giant's defensive pass rush continued to dominate and the offense remained stagnant. 

The Giants' first drive of the second half ended with a fourth down conversion on their 38-yard line, a head-scratching decision from head coach Brian Daboll considering how well the defense had been playing. But lucky for Daboll, the Bengals couldn't convert with a short field as Bobby Okereke forced a fumble and gave the offense another shot. 

This time they were able to cash in with a Tyrone Tracy TD rush, their first home touchdown of the season. But a pair of missed field goals from a new-look Giants special teams unit and a long touchdown run for Cincinnati put the nail in the coffin for Big Blue. Final score 17-7.

The first thing I'd like to note would be I respect the hell out of Daboll for taking those chances on fourth down (aside from the one on his own 38). Daboll is coaching like his job depends on it, because it does. He has to take chances because he truly has nothing left to lose. 

Speaking of losing, Daniel Jones is now 1-14 in primetime in his career. That means 93% of the time the Giants are losing on national television. How is this being accepted by the higher-ups? Time after time we have seen this guy fail to get the job done when it matters. 

Giant's fans are accustomed to a guy like Eli Manning who elevated his game when it mattered. Now fans are stuck with someone who shrinks under pressure. We have become content with mediocrity. But that's a whole different conversation.

On a more positive note, this defense is elite and a top 3 unit in the NFL right now. Dexter Lawrence should be a defensive player of the year candidate with not just his pass rush but his ability to eat running backs for dinner. 

The Giants look a lot like last year's Jets, where every game is low-scoring, the defensive giving the offense a chance, and the QB issue preventing them from winning games. With Nabers and Singeltary likely back soon, hopefully the offense can start to find a rhythm.

Next week is the awaited return of Saquon (Snakequon) Barkley, as the Giants will host the Eagles Sunday at 1 p.m.