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Giants Now: Breaking down DJ's rushing success

Oct 06, 2021 at 06:00 AM

Matt Citak

Digital Media Coordinator

Breaking down Daniel Jones' rushing success

Daniel Jones has enjoyed a strong start to the 2021 season. Through the first four weeks, Jones has thrown for 1,184 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception, while completing 66.7 percent of his passes. The third-year quarterback was nominated for the FedEx Air Player of Week 4 following his career-day against the Saints on Sunday.

While Jones has certainly stepped up as a passer this season, there is one area of his game that has been seemingly overlooked- his ability running the ball.

In four games, the 24-year-old ranks third among quarterbacks with 188 rushing yards, trailing only Baltimore's Lamar Jackson (279) and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts (226). Jones' two rushing touchdowns is tied for the fourth-most in the league, while his 7.0 yards per carry is the highest in the NFL among players with 20 or more rush attempts.

"The Giants have run the league's eighth-most combined read options and designed quarterback runs over the past two seasons," Pro Football Focus' Ian Haritz writes. "They've functioned as the league's 10th-best offense in terms of EPA per play on these efforts.

"Jones shouldn't be referred to as sneaky-athletic; it's very apparent to anyone who has watched him play over the past three years that his rushing ability is a true weapon. There's an awful lot of speed on the Cowboys defense for Jones and company to deal with, but don't count out the dual-threat talent's ability to keep on keeping on as both a passer and rusher.

In addition to his two rushing touchdowns, Jones has also run in two-point conversions in each of the last two games. His conversion against the Saints brought the Giants within three points of tying the game, while the one against the Falcons included him running over Atlanta's All-Pro defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Jones is the first quarterback to run for a two-point conversion in consecutive games since New Orleans' Aaron Brooks on Sept. 22 and 29, 2002.

If he totals at least 200 passing yards and 25 rushing yards against the Cowboys this Sunday, Jones will join Randall Cunningham (1995) as the only players with at least 200 passing yards and 25 rushing yards in each of the first five games of a season.

Inside the Numbers: O-Line impresses amid shuffling

Neither team surrendered a quarterback sack in the Giants' 27-21 overtime victory against the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday. Keeping a quarterback off the ground for an entire game is always an impressive accomplishment, but it was particularly noteworthy given the state of the teams' offensive lines.

The Saints played without three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead (elbow) and center Erik McCloy (calf), who missed the game with injuries.

And injured players forced the Giants had to reshuffle their line yet again. They started their fourth offensive line combination in as many games. The latest configuration included center Billy Price, guards Matt Skura and Will Hernandez and tackles Andrew Thomas and Nate Solder. Skura made his Giants debut. Hernandez and the tackles have started every game.

This season, the Giants have started eight different offensive linemen, the NFL's second-highest total behind the Philadelphia Eagles' nine. The eight starting linemen are the most the Giants have used through the first four games in a non-strike season since they started eight in 1982 (they had 12 starters through four games in 1987, but that included two strike replacement games).

The Giants have started a different player at left guard in each game – Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates, Ben Bredeson and Skura. Lemieux and Gates are out for the season and Bredeson missed the New Orleans game with a hand injury. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Giants last started a different player at an offensive line position in four consecutive games in 2016, when Justin Pugh, Brett Jones, Marshall Newhouse and Adam Gettis started in succession … at left guard. The Giants are the only team with four different starters at an offensive line position this season.

Since the start of the 2018 season, 19 different offensive linemen have started for the Giants, which is tied for the NFL's sixth-highest total.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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CB James Bradberry

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P Riley Dixon

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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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WR John Ross

Ross flashed his speed on a 52-yard touchdown reception in his first game since being activated from injured reserve.

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) celebrates his touchdown reception with wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) and free safety Marcus Williams try to tackle New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) on a touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball and is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) reacts with punter Riley Dixon (9) after a missed field goal during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) celebrates after a touchdown catch with running back Saquon Barkley (26) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) catches the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates after a touchdown throw during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates after a touchdown throw with tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a field goal as punter Riley Dixon (9) holds during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gano missed on the kick. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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QB Daniel Jones

Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards while completing 70.0 percent of his passes.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) scrambles during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares for the snap during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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WR Kadarius Toney

The first-round pick showed his elusiveness as he recorded 78 yards on six catches.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) calls out between plays in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries against New Orleans Saints linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon (90) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) takes a break on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28 carries in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks to umpire Carl Paganelli (124) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries against New Orleans Saints strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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RB Saquon Barkley

Barkley had 126 yards from scrimmage and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates his two-point conversion with center Billy Price in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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CB James Bradberry

Bradberry notched his second interception of the season.

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a field goal to tie the game near the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime, in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores on a touchdown reception against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants holder Riley Dixon (9) congratulates kicker Graham Gano (5) after making a field goal to tie the game near the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime, in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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K Graham Gano

While Gano's streak ended, another began. Gano kicked a 48-yarder to tie the game before the end of regulation after missing his first attempt in more than a year.

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown in overtime to defeat the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21.(AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown against New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle to win in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley carries for a touchdown against New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) to defeat the Saints in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21.(AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown in overtime with wide receiver Kadarius Toney to defeat the New Orleans Saints 27-21, during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley carries for a touchdown to defeat the New Orleans Saints in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown in overtime with wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) to defeat the New Orleans Saints 27-21, during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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