Since Daniel Jones entered the NFL in 2019, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton have been first and second on the Giants in targets and receiving yards. Both were ruled out of Sunday's game against the Saints with hamstring injuries, two blows to an offense still finding its footing in the young season.
Leave it to the newcomers.
Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, John Ross, and Kyle Rudolph – four players who wore different uniforms in 2020 – accounted for 295 of Jones' career-high 402 yards in the Giants' 27-21 victory in the Superdome, the franchise's first win in the venue since 1993. Saquon Barkley, a running back, accounted for 74 of them.
The Giants hope Sunday was just the beginning.
"We have shown glimpses of what we can be as an offense throughout these first four games," Jones said. "We were more consistent with it today. We made a few more plays. We made the plays when they counted. I think that is the capability of this offense. We have got to keep doing it. It wasn't perfect. There are things that we have to getter better and clean up. We have the potential to make a lot of plays and we have to keep doing it."
Injuries put a kink in what the front office planned during the draft and in free agency, but all four players made up for lost time when urgency was at an all-time high. The Giants, winless after some of the most heartbreaking losses a team can endure, entered a hostile environment in the Superdome against a hot Saints defense. The revolving door at left guard only added to the issues on offense as Matt Skura became the fourth player to start at the position in as many games.
To put it kindly, outside expectations were not high for the Giants.
Activated from injured reserve on Saturday, Ross flashed the speed that made him famous on a 52-yard touchdown in the first half, and the Giants were in business. Golladay broke out with his first 100-yard game in a Giants uniform and made two critical plays on third down. He made a 28-yard pickup on third-and-seven to set up Graham Gano's field goal to send the game to overtime, which was only topped by a 23-yard gain on third-and-six in overtime. It paved the way for Barkley's game-winner on the very next play.
"We work that play in practice," Golladay said of the overtime play. "It could not have been a better time for that to be called. It was pretty much wide open. I ran a good route and Daniel Jones put it right on me. He threw the ball all over the place today.
"It goes with the week leading up to the game. We had some good stuff put in. We hit it in practice and it showed in the game. If you look at it, all of the receivers had a part and did their job. I felt like everyone in the receivers room did a great job of helping Daniel Jones out. He put it on us."
Meanwhile, Toney showed his elusiveness with 78 yards after having just 14 in the first three games.
"When we won the coin toss [to receive the ball to start overtime], I looked down the sideline and the whole offense was ready to go," Toney said. "I knew at that point that we needed to feed our own energy."
Of course, it could have all been washed away if Rudolph hadn't made a game-saving fumble recovery in overtime.
"I owe him a dinner or something like that," Barkley said.
Check out the best photos from the New York Giants' Week 4 contest against the New Orleans Saints.
S Julian Love
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)
CB James Bradberry
P Riley Dixon
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)
WR John Ross
Ross flashed his speed on a 52-yard touchdown reception in his first game since being activated from injured reserve.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
QB Daniel Jones
Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards while completing 70.0 percent of his passes.
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)
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)
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)
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)
WR Kadarius Toney
The first-round pick showed his elusiveness as he recorded 78 yards on six catches.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley had 126 yards from scrimmage and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime.
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)
CB James Bradberry
Bradberry notched his second interception of the season.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Head Coach Joe Judge
Head Coach Joe Judge
Head Coach Joe Judge
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Single Game Tickets
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