Vikings LB: We ‘Started to Feel a Little Bit Bad for’ Daniel Jones in Giants Blowout

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 11, 2024

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Losing in the NFL is difficult enough to deal with, but having the opposition feel bad for you during a blowout defeat is even bleaker.

That is apparently what happened for New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones during Sunday’s 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

“We kind of started to feel a little bit bad for him as we’re still just completely taking away everything he wants to do,” Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard said during a Tuesday appearance on KFAN 100.3 in Minnesota (h/t Grant Gordon of NFL.com). “Hey, it’s good to be on the other side of it, and it’s our job to not be on that side.”

Jones went 22-of-42 for 186 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Andrew Van Ginkel. He was also sacked five times and dealt with pressure throughout the contest.

Minnesota Vikings @Vikings.@AndrewVanGinkel ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!

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It was a dominating performance for the Minnesota defense and a concerning one for a New York offense that will be under the spotlight this season.

Star running back Saquon Barkley is now on the rival Philadelphia Eagles, and the team’s decision to commit to Jones with a four-year, $160 million contract extension ahead of the 2023 campaign isn’t looking great. He went 1-5 as a starter last year before suffering a torn ACL and struggled in his return to the field Sunday.

The crowd booed a number of times during New York’s loss, especially as the frustration built up while the offense failed to reach the end zone.

Next up for the Giants are two road games against the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns, both of whom lost their season openers as well.

If things don’t look better from Jones and the offense in those contests, it could be a long season in the Big Apple.