EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants aired it out Friday night and used their passing attack to defeat the Carolina Panthers, 21-19, in a preseason game in MetLife Stadium.
Quarterbacks Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito combined to complete 26 of 33 passes (78.8%) for 247 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Thirteen different receivers caught at least one pass, led by rookie Jalin Hyatt's four receptions, including a 33-yard touchdown. Taylor absorbed the only two sacks as the Giants allowed three fewer sacks than they did in their loss to Detroit last week.
Most importantly, Jones and the first-team offense, sans Saquon Barkley, was almost perfect in its only series. After receiving the opening kickoff, Jones completed eight of nine passes – the only incompletion was a ball that Darren Waller dropped after a big hit – on a 10-play 75-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Bellinger. Waller contributed three catches for 30 yards in his only action of the night.
"It was a good series," coach Brian Daboll said. "Darren had a few catches, efficient. It was one series. Execution was good."
"I thought we did some good things," said Jones, who also gained six yards on a scramble on the Giants' lone run on that opening possession. "I thought we executed pretty well. A couple plays, could sharpen up a few things there, we'll look to do that. But overall, I thought we executed well."
The Giants were not flawless. They led at halftime, 21-3, but were outscored in the second half, 16-0. Without the 29 yards gained by the quarterbacks, the Giants rushed for 31 yards on 16 carries. Taylor led the team with 31 yards on three attempts. Rookie Eric Gray topped the running backs with 16 yards on five carries, including a nine-yard touchdown. The Giants committed 10 penalties for 82 yards, totals that could sabotage the team in the regular season.
"Not good," Daboll said of the calls against the defense. "Penalties usually continue drives."
"Those pre-snap and post-snap ones are the ones you want to try to avoid," he continued. "You're going to have penalties in this game. You're going to have physical penalties where things happen with a hold or something like that. But any pre-snap stuff where you can control it or post-snap stuff, those are the ones you try to fix. I think we had quite a bit of penalties today. Usually that's what it is early on, but you still certainly don't want them."
But the NFL is a passing league and the Giants demonstrated, as they have throughout training camp, that they can move the ball through the air.
View photos from the home preseason opener between the Giants and Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
RB Eric Gray (20)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
T Julién Davenport (71)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
S Dane Belton (24)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Don Martindale Defensive Coordinator
Brian Daboll Head Coach
OLB Jihad Ward (55)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54), DT Kobe Smith (72)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
S Bobby McCain (21)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
TE Chris Myarick (85)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
G Shane Lemieux (66)
G Jack Anderson (77), G Shane Lemieux (66)
QB Tommy DeVito (5), Sean Harlow, T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
QB Tommy DeVito (5), Sean Harlow, T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
S Alex Cook (23)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
DT Brandin Bryant (69)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
OLB Tomon Fox (49), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Tomon Fox (49), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
DT Jordon Riley (95), S Dane Belton (24)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
G Mark Glowinski (64), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
S Dane Belton (24)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
K Graham Gano (9)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18), TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
RB Eric Gray (20), T Matt Peart (74)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
G Ben Bredeson (68)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29), S Jason Pinnock (27)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Jason Pinnock (27), LB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Jason Pinnock (27), LB Bobby Okereke (58)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
DT Jordon Riley (95)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9), P Jamie Gillan (6)
Brian Daboll Head Coach
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
G Mark Glowinski (64), QB Daniel Jones (8), TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
T Evan Neal (73)
G Mark Glowinski (64), QB Daniel Jones (8), TE Darren Waller (12)
T Evan Neal (73)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Darren Waller (12)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
T Evan Neal (73), RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
New York Giants' Parris Campbell runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Jashaun Corbin runs with the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones stands at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor passes the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt carries the ball during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) attempts to avoid a tackle by Carolina Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. (28) during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants wide receiver Darren Waller (12) is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) during an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Carolina Panthers' Adam Thielen, left, and New York Giants' Isaiah Hodgins talks after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left, greets New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton (81) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Brandon Smith (40) during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left, greets New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) cheers on the crowd during an NFL pre-season football game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell, center, is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell, left, and linebacker Shaq Thompson, right, during an NFL pre-season football game on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
New York Giants' Darren Waller, left, talks with Parris Campbell, right, and Daniel Jones (8) on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley watches the game from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito looks to throw during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Giants' Darnay Holmes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Eric Gray (20), second from left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
QB Daniel Jones (8), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
TE Darren Waller (12), RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Bobby Okereke (58), S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Darren Waller (12)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
New York Giants' John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), center, prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Sterling Shepard runs a route during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), right, gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Daniel Bellinger scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Jalin Hyatt catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Parris Campbell, left, runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, center, throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
S Alex Cook (23)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Alex Cook (23)
CB Gemon Green (34)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
T Evan Neal (73)
CB Gemon Green (34)
G Mark Glowinski (64)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
OLB Jihad Ward (55)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
ILB Darrian Beavers (43)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20), S Jason Pinnock (27)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20), S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Gervarrius Owens (31), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58)
TE Darren Waller (12)
TE Darren Waller (12)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
TE Darren Waller (12)
RB James Robinson (24)
RB James Robinson (24)
T Matt Peart (74)
OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
WR Cole Beasley (9)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
LS Cameron Lyons (48)
K Graham Gano (9), LS Casey Kreiter (59)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
RB Matt Breida (31)
RB Matt Breida (31)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
RB Jashaun Corbin (25)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
Sean Harlow
TE Chris Myarick (85)
DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (93)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR David Sills V (13)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
WR David Sills V (13)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL D.J. Davidson (98)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Darren Evans (35)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S Bobby McCain (21)
CB Nick McCloud (44)
S Bobby McCain (21)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
S Dane Belton (24)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
Three players stood out:
*Waller, the team's marquee veteran offseason acquisition, continues to strengthen his connection with Jones. The Giants' first two plays were completions of six and 12 yards to Waller. Later in that opening drive, he caught another 12-yard pass.
"He showed up for us there a good bit," Jones said. "He's been big for us all camp and he played well again tonight, for sure.
"He's a big target. He runs good routes, creates separation, he's an easy guy to find. So, yeah, he's a talented player, smart guy, understands defense, understands where we're trying to use him and how to get open."
Waller also occupied two Carolina defenders on the touchdown, which gave Bellinger room to catch Jones' pass at the goal line.
Jones and Waller began developing a rapport in offseason workouts, continued building on it during spring practices and are improving it as the summer has progressed.
"They work at it, they work hard at it," Daboll said. "Probably got a long way to go still with it, but the offseason stuff, OTA's, we give them a lot of reps together. In the passing game, that's really what it's about, as much chemistry as you can get. Still a way to go with it."
Waller has a quick explanation for his chemistry with Jones.
"A lot of reps," he said. "A lot of reps that take place since April with OTA's and then throwing sessions that nobody else was at except us and a couple of receivers. Just continuing to get reps in, knowing where each other is – the timing we want. Where we expect each other to be, where I expect the ball to be, where he expects me to be when he releases something, so just a lot of time on task."
*Hyatt, the Giants' third-round draft choice this year. The former Tennessee standout might be the fastest player on the team with the ball in his hands. But like all rookies, indeed all receivers, he must consistently catch the ball.
Hyatt showed his mettle in the second quarter. He found himself wide open on a first-down play but dropped Taylor's perfectly thrown pass. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka called a pass to Hyatt on the very next play and the rookie got behind safety Eric Rowe and hauled in Taylor's pass for a 33-yard touchdown.
"As a receiver, when the ball touches our hands, we want to catch everything and I believe I can catch any ball that comes to me," Hyatt said. "And when you have a play like that, and I didn't come up with it, it's always next-play mentality. That's what they've been teaching me, coach, teaching me, that's why I want to do the next play. I'm just glad that they trust in me."
Daboll was impressed with Hyatt in that telling two-play sequence.
"I like when he had that drop and Kafka dialed it up the very next play where we thought the ball would go, so good next-play mentality, positive approach," Daboll said. "Again, much like all the other rookies, we're still chopping the wood here.
"That's what you want to try to do, particularly with young guys. You know there's going to be bad plays. So to kind of encourage that next-play mentality, it's particularly, I would say in these preseason games, it's good if you can go right back to them if the coverage is what it is and the quarterback is supposed to throw it there. You don't want to force it, but that was planned. He had that drop and then we went right back to him, and he made a nice play."
*Sterling Shepard. The eight-year veteran caught just one pass for six yards, but it was still a big deal. Shepard suffered major season-ending injuries in 2021 (ruptured Achilles tendon) and 2022 (torn ACL). He endured arduous rehabilitations to return to the field. Friday marked his first game action in almost 11 months.
"It's good when you are coming back from that, the history that he's had the last couple of years," Daboll said. "I kept asking him how he's doing because I think he was at about 12 snaps right before the two-minute (warning), so I wanted to be around 15 with him. But he's such a good teammate and such a competitor. I'm always checking with him, how's he doing on the sideline, are you good to go and he's competitive as always."
*Barkley was the only regular starter on offense or defense who did not play. Jones, Waller and left tackle Andrew Thomas played only the first series. Most defensive starters played two series, though rookie cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins and safety Jason Pinnock were on the field for three.
*The starting offensive line had Evan Neal and Thomas at tackle, Mark Glowinski at right guard and Ben Bredeson at left guard and rookie John Michael Schmitz at center. In the second series, Bredeson moved to right guard, Joshua Ezeudu stepped in at left guard and Matt Peart took over at left tackle. Neal, who missed practice time while in the concussion protocol, played the entire first half. Glowinski returned in the second quarter as the coaches continued to alternate the guards.
*Defensively, the Giants opened with three linemen (Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and rookie Jordon Riley), outside linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux, inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, and five defensive backs (Banks, Hawkins, Adoree' Jackson in the slot, Xavier McKinney and Pinnock).
*Okereke and rookie safety Gervarrius Owens each had team-high totals of seven tackles, including four solo.
*Carolina quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, played the first two series and completed three of six passes for 35 yards.
*The Giants will conclude their preseason on Saturday, Aug. 26, vs. the Jets at 6 p.m.
*Giants who did not play: running back Gary Brightwell; wide receivers Cole Beasley and Collin Johnson; tight end Tommy Sweeney; offensive linemen Tyre Phillips and Markus McKethan; defensive linemen Ryder Anderson, A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches; linebacker Cam Brown; and cornerbacks Nick McCloud and Rodarius Williams.
*Jones, Thomas, Lawrence and McKinney represented the Giants at the coin toss.
The Giants Foundation 5K & Kids Run
Register today and run with Giants Legends in The Giants Foundation 5K and Kids Run, Presented by Quest®
