Daniel Jones named PFF's Offensive Player of the Week
Despite the last-second loss against Washington on Thursday, Daniel Jones put together one of the strongest overall performances of his young NFL career.
Jones completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8 percent) for 249 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a passer rating of 102.2. Jones also made a significant impact on the ground, rushing for a game-high 95 yards on nine carries, good for an average of 10.6 yards per carry, and an additional touchdown. The 95 rushing yards set a new career-high for Jones.
Following the full slate of games this weekend, Pro Football Focus released its Week 2 Team of the Week & Awards and named Jones the Offensive Player of the Week.
The 24-year-old led all quarterbacks in Week 2 in total completions on passes thrown 10+ yards downfield with 11. As PFF notes, Jones "also led the position in positively graded throws and recorded the week's lowest negatively graded throw rate." The analytics site did not track the third-year quarterback for a single turnover-worthy play all game.
Jones earned an overall grade of 91.3, the highest grade of his career, which was aided by an elite 90.7 passing grade.
"Jones didn't let pressure disrupt the timing of the offense, standing tall in the pocket and delivering accurate throws," PFF's Anthony Treash writes. "He also showed off the impact he can make in the running game with three runs of 10-plus yards, tying Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts for the most of the week."
Through the first two games of the season, Jones ranks sixth among all quarterbacks with an 83.8 overall grade. Even more impressive is his 85.4 passing grade, which ranks second in the NFL behind only Tom Brady (91.8). Jones is responsible for four touchdowns so far this season (two passing, two rushing) while registering just one turnover. He has 516 passing yards on a 63.8 completion percentage and is averaging 7.5 yards per attempt. Jones has also registered 122 rushing yards on 15 carries (8.1 yards per attempt).
Giants move on from TNF, look ahead to Atlanta
Last Thursday in Washington, Daniel Jones targeted Kenny Golladay on eight of his later passes. Late in the game, NFL Network cameras showed the Giants' standout receiver apparently targeting the quarterback with a verbal broadside.
That isn't what happened, Golladay said today.
"Pretty much just me talking to JG (offensive coordinator Jason Garrett) a little bit and that's two competitive guys right there," Golladay said. "Moreso, just me wanting to do anything I can. Not so much, 'Give me the ball more,' though."
The five-year veteran said the outburst was out of character.
"Really, that just comes with me a little bit," Golladay said. "Really, I've never done anything like that either – but really just passionate, just being a competitor. I love just doing anything I can to help the team. I let the emotions get the best of me."
Asked what prompted the brief outburst, Golladay said, "Division game. Wanted to leave that spot with a win if anything."
Golladay said Garrett and he have no lingering issues.
"Me and him spoke right after the game," Golladay said. "It was literally nothing."
Coach Joe Judge today was questioned for the third time about the sideline exchange.
"I've already spoken to all parties involved about all that stuff you guys (reporters) are referencing," Judge said. "You guys asked me the other night about Kenny, there was no argument on the sideline. There was no him versus Daniel or anything of that nature. This is a guy that in the heat of the moment, you speak very passionately. You kind of speak with some emotion. I speak with emotion on the sideline. There was no blowup or anything that has to be made of it. I understand sometimes the perceptions will be what they are, but like I said the other day, there's no issue there."
Golladay caught three passes for 38 yards in the Giants' 30-29 loss to the Washington Football Team in FedExField. In two games, he is the team's second-leading receiver with seven receptions for 102 yards, but each of those figures are less than half of Sterling Shepard's totals (16 catches for 207 yards).
"I wouldn't say I was antsy, more so, just I'm a competitor," Golladay said. "I want to go out there and compete. I want to be in those tough situations. It all just boils down to just wanting to do whatever's best to help the team.
"I think I left some stuff out there. I know I had one drop across the middle, I wish I could have that back. Other than that, played pretty good. Wish I could've made a few more plays."
📸 Photos: Best of QB Daniel Jones
Check out the gallery below to view the best photos from the young career of third-year quarterback Daniel Jones.
View photos of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throughout his NFL career.
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