With a trip to the postseason on the line, the Giants put together their best overall performance of the season in their dominating 38-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The win locked the Giants into the No. 6 seed in the NFC, with a trip to either Minnesota or San Francisco on the horizon for Wild Card Weekend.
Experts from across the NFL landscape had a lot to say about the franchise making its first postseason appearance since 2016 in the first year under coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen.
Here are some of the top expert reactions to the New Year's Day win.
In his weekly 'Football Morning in America' column for NBC Sports, Peter King gave praise to two of the biggest reasons why the Giants are in the postseason.
King named Daniel Jones one of the Three Stars of Week 17
"Jones is in the right place. He needs to sign with the Giants for the near-term this offseason. He fits. On Sunday, after the 38-10 rout of the Colts, fans were chanting his name, loving him for probably the first heavy-decibel time in his four seasons in New Jersey. He threw two TD passes, perfect throws, and had two TD runs. He's fast enough to outrun linebackers, but when one's in his way, he has no problem stiff-arming them to the ground — he did it with Bobby Okereke of the Colts Sunday — or bashing into them to win a few yards."
King also named Brian Daboll as the Coach of the Week
"The Giants routed the Colts 38-10, scoring in the thirties for the first time in 43 games. That says enough about the competent offense Daboll has built in New Jersey. The win clinched New York's first winning season and first playoff season since 2016. Remember where the Giants were four months ago? In Nowheresville, just trying to be competent. Now they're 9-6-1 and headed for the playoffs, with Daboll's leadership a huge key."
Graziano wrote that Daboll having the Coach of the Year award locked up is NOT an overreaction
"Daboll got the Giants out to a 7-2 start playing ultra close games every week, weathered a four-game winless streak and has rebounded with two wins in the past three weeks to lock up a playoff spot in his first year as a head coach. He helped shepherd Daniel Jones through the best year of his career so far in spite of a stunning dearth of help from the wide receiver position. He got Saquon Barkley through the season healthy. He took a team that hadn't had reason to believe in itself for a half-decade and got it to do so right away...
A winning record and a playoff spot with the 2022 Giants, for me, is a slam-dunk Coach of the Year case."
Breech awarded the Giants an A for their performance against the Colts
"To clinch a playoff berth, all the Giants (9-6-1) had to do was beat the Colts on Sunday and Daniel Jones made sure that happened. Not only did Jones throw two touchdown passes, but he also rushed for two more while finishing the day as the Giants' leading rusher with 91 yards. Jones' four touchdowns were more than enough, but the defense also decided to tack on a score with a Landon Collins pick-six. This was the type of win that will give the Giants some confidence going forward and make them feel like they might be able to do some damage in the playoffs."
Edholm praises both Daboll and Jones for their performances this season
On Daboll - "The Giants head coach did his best not to utter the word "playoffs" this week, but he'll have no choice now. Daboll deserves to be an NFL Coach of the Year contender as the 9-6-1 Giants are in the postseason for the first time since 2016 and only the second time since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2011. They did so with one of their most complete performances of the season, scoring a season-high 38 points and harassing the hapless Colts offense most of the day."
On Jones - "Halfway through the fourth quarter, with his Giants up four touchdowns, Jones came off the field for his curtain-call moment. MetLife Stadium gave him a deserved "Daniel Jones!" chant while he was being replaced by backup Tyrod Taylor. This is more of a season-long appreciation post for Jones than it is highlighting his performance against the Colts, although he did have a strong day throwing the ball (19 of 24, 177 yards, two touchdowns) and running it (11 carries for 91 yards and two rushing TDs). This season, Jones has completed a career-high passes, is currently over 67% in completion percentage, and already has logged career bests for passing yards and rushing yards. Daboll has unlocked Jones' potential in a season when he knew his fifth-year option had been declined and his Giants future hung in the balance. So far, Jones has done everything the Giants could have asked from him and given himself an excellent chance to return."
NFL Research: Daniel Jones joined Charlie Conerly in 1948 as the only players in Giants franchise history with two-plus passing touchdowns and two-plus rush TDs in a game. Jones also tied Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen and Ryan Tannehill for the most such games among active players, with two each.
View photos from the Giants' Week 17 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Indianapolis Colts' Brandon Facyson (31) closes in on New York Giants' Richie James (80) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley (26) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Oshane Ximines (53) tackles Indianapolis Colts' Nick Foles (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Daniel Jones (8) leaps past a defender during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley dives over Indianapolis Colts' Zaire Franklin (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley (26) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Indianapolis Colts' Brandon Facyson (31) closes in on New York Giants' Richie James (80) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (80) gets up after catching a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Daniel Jones (8) dives past Indianapolis Colts' Rodney Thomas II (25) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Daniel Jones (8) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (80) catches a pass in front of Indianapolis Colts' Bobby Okereke (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) celebrates after the Indianapolis Colts missed a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) gets past Indianapolis Colts' Rodney Thomas II for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
QB Daniel Jones completed 19 of 24 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, earning a passer rating of 125.2. He also ran the ball 11 times for 91 yards (8.3 avg.) and an additional two scores.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Graham Gano, right, kicks a field goal as Jamie Gillan (6) holds for him during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) directs his team against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Landon Collins (21) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) reacts against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Coach Brian Daboll has led the Giants to the playoffs in his first season as head coach.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux registered a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup, adding five total tackles (four solo).
New York Giants running back Matt Breida (31) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) rushes down the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
S Landon Collins intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown.
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) dives past Indianapolis Colts' Zaire Franklin (44) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Richie James (80) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Several NFL analysts also took to social media in order to break down some of the team's strong performances on Sunday.
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky, NFL Network's Brian Baldinger and Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager were just some of the experts to heap praise on the Giants following the playoff-clinching win.
Check out more expert reactions below.
