EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants' offense and defense each faced a unique challenge as the team prepared to play the Carolina Panthers.
Offensively, the players knew they'd take the field without several of their most productive teammates, including Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. They were all inactive on Sunday, as was a fourth standout, wide receiver Sterling Shepard.
The issues on defense were not centered on health, but performance. In losses the previous two weeks to Dallas and the Los Angeles Rams, the Giants had allowed 82 points, their highest two-game total in almost six years. That led to a lot of outside chatter that the defense wasn't approaching the impressive standard it set in 2020.
"We took it personal," said cornerback James Bradberry, whose second-quarter interception was the game's only takeaway. "We're a defense, and our goal is to stop them from scoring. We hadn't been doing that the past few weeks. Our goal today was to come out here and play strong every series. I think we did a good job of doing that, so we're definitely happy with our results."
They should be. The defense was outstanding in the Giants' 25-3 victory against the Carolina Panthers in MetLife Stadium. Carolina coach Matt Rhule was determined to run the football. But the Panthers rushed for only 56 yards on 17 carries, a 3.3-yard average. Leading rusher Chuba Hubbard was held to 28 yards on 12 attempts.
"We made an emphasis on running the football this week," Rhule said. "It didn't show up."
Not much did against the Giants' inspired defense. Carolina finished with only 117 passing yards, 173 total yards and 11 first downs. The Giants' defense sacked quarterbacks Sam Darnold and PJ Walker three times apiece. The unit also forced a safety when it pressured Darnold so fiercely in the second quarter he threw a pass from the end zone that was nowhere near an eligible receiver.
"This is big-time," lineman Leonard Williams, who had 1.5 sacks, said of the defense's performance. "As a unit, we kind of talked about putting the team on our back more and how our team is—what we think our team is built around the defense. We take pride in being a defensive team and you know so far this year we haven't really been stepping up to the plate and I think this was a really big game for us. We didn't allow any touchdowns and we're putting our offense in some good field position and we closed the game out like we wanted to."
View photos from the New York Giants' 25-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
New York Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney (29) and Adoree' Jackson (22) tackle Carolina Panthers' Royce Freeman (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) runs past Carolina Panthers' Donte Jackson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) runs past Carolina Panthers' Donte Jackson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) breaks a tackle by Carolina Panthers' Donte Jackson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) runs past Carolina Panthers' Donte Jackson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass as he is hit by New York Giants' Leonard Williams (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The play was ruled intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Lorenzo Carter (59) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Lorenzo Carter (59) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Lorenzo Carter (59) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams (99) celebrates with teammates after the Giants scored on a safety during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) rushes away from Carolina Panthers' Brian Burns (53) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) smiles after making an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants free safety Jabrill Peppers (21) reacts to a safety against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Devontae Booker (28) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Derrick Brown (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is pushed out of bounds by Carolina Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter (4) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) reacts against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants free safety Jabrill Peppers (21) defends against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge reacts against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge reacts to a safety against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Dante Pettis (13) runs past Carolina Panthers safety Sean Chandler (34) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) reacts to a safety against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) catches a pass in front of Carolina Panthers' Sean Chandler (34) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Devontae Booker (28) rushes past Carolina Panthers' Daviyon Nixon (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Dante Pettis (13) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Stantley Thomas-Oliver (23) as he reaches the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Elijhaa Penny (39) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) celebrates with teammates after kicking a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Dante Pettis (13) celebrates with John Ross (12) after scoring a touchdown as Sterling Shepard, left, reacts during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) catches a pass in front of Carolina Panthers' Sean Chandler (34) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Devontae Booker (28) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Sean Chandler (34) and Jeremy Chinn (21) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Dante Pettis (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) is tackled by New York Giants' Tae Crowder (48) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Devontae Booker (28) rushes past Carolina Panthers' Daviyon Nixon (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Devontae Booker (28) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Carolina Panthers' Stantley Thomas-Oliver (23) tackles New York Giants' Dante Pettis (13) at the goal line during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Pettis scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker (6) is tackled by New York Giants defensive end Raymond Johnson III (91) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) runs against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) runs against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) celebrates after making a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) tackles Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker (6) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Collin Johnson (15) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts to a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) reacts as he walks off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts to a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) reacts against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks an extra point against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts to a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) signs autographs as he walks off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) reacts as he walks off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates with defensive back Keion Crossen (31) as they walk off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) reacts as he walks off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett react as they walk off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) signs autographs as he walks off the field after the Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) warms up before taking on the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants linebacker Carter Coughlin (52) before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder (48) before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
DL Leonard Williams, OT Matt Skura
RB Devontae Booker, RBC Burton Burns
OT Matt Skura
DT David Moa, HC Joe Judge, DL Raymond Johnson III
WR Darius Slayton
DT David Moa
RB Devontae Booker, RBC Burton Burns
DT David Moa
RB Devontae Booker
DB Keion Crossen
TE Kaden Smith
TE Kaden Smith
WR John Ross
CB Adoree' Jackson
S Julian Love
CB Adoree' Jackson
CB Adoree' Jackson
S Julian Love
WR Darius Slayton
S Julian Love
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
DB Logan Ryan
WR Dante Pettis
WR Dante Pettis
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Collin Johnson
TE Evan Engram
TE Kyle Rudolph
CB Adoree' Jackson
TE Evan Engram
TE Evan Engram
WR Collin Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
P Riley Dixon
DL Dexter Lawrence, DL Leonard Williams
WR David Sills V
LB Oshane Ximines
S Jabrill Peppers
TE Kaden Smith
DB Nate Ebner
S Julian Love
P Riley Dixon
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Collin Johnson
LB Azeez Ojulari
WR Darius Slayton
CB Darnay Holmes
G Ben Bredeson
T Matt Peart
S Logan Ryan
TE Evan Engram
DL Dexter Lawrence, DL Leonard Williams
TE Evan Engram
S Xavier McKinney
LB Reggie Ragland
In addition to vindicating themselves, the defensive players set a tone until the offense could catch up. After a first half that ended 5-3, the Giants pitched a shutout in the final two quarters while scoring 20 points. The victory improved the Giants' record to 2-5. Carolina lost its fourth consecutive game and fell to 3-4.
"It was kind of an identity game for us," safety Logan Ryan said. "Wasn't perfect, it was pretty good, wasn't perfect. Some missed tackles, some stuff we've got to clean up schematically. We talk about pride and I have a lot of pride and this defense has a lot of pride and this area has a lot of pride. When people say you're not playing with pride, that's just inexcusable. You shouldn't even allow that to be questioned. I think today, no matter what was going to happen, we wanted to outscore them personally. I was mad we didn't beat them – it was 3-2, their offense versus our defense in points. We really wanted to outscore them. It just came out of pride and kind of the way you do it. Same plays, same defense, same X's and O's, not everything was magic drawn up in the dirt. It was just playing with more pride and passion and let that energy lift the team."
Quarterback Daniel Jones did just about everything but snap the ball. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 203 yards, rushed for 28 yards on eight carries, and picked up his first career reception with a nifty one-handed catch for 16 yards on a pass thrown by Dante Pettis. The wide receiver also displayed his versatility, catching five passes for 39 yards, including a five-yard touchdown. Devontae Booker ran for a 19-yard touchdown and Graham Gano kicked field goals of 49, 53 and 44 yards. He tied his own franchise single season record with his fifth field goal of 50+ yards and set the career mark with his 10th in two years.
"I've had this game circled since the schedule came out," said Graham, who was with the Panthers from 2012-19, though he couldn't play in the final season because of a leg injury. "I knew they were coming here, and I was excited about it. Obviously, I have awesome memories there, but at the end of the day, I'm a New York Giant and that win feels really, really good."
For a long time, it seemed each team would finish with a single-digit point total. Pettis ended those thoughts when he caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Jones with 59 seconds remaining in the third quarter to push the Giants' lead to 12-3.
The most memorable play on the drive occurred three minutes earlier when Jones handed the ball to Booker, who flipped it to Pettis, who threw it down the right side where Jones corralled it for the first reception by a Giants quarterback since Kerry Collins on Sept. 10, 2001.
"We weren't really going for originality on that," coach Joe Judge said. "But we thought it could be effective and he made it work. Him and Pettis did that. They actually had a play in practice that looked basically identical to that with the way that Dante threw it and how he had to catch, so it's amazing how practice execution becomes game reality."
Judge said Jones did not drop any of Pettis' practice passes.
"We had a couple, I would say, errant throws," Judge said. "It was a little bit of tryouts on the field at times, but Dante comes from a baseball family, so I'm sure he's not going for Thanksgiving in the future if he doesn't make that throw."
Jones said he doesn't remember ever catching a pass in a game, even in high school. He was quick to credit Pettis for the reception he secured on Sunday.
"It was a pretty unathletic route getting out there, so he put it out there for me and I just tried to pull it in," Jones said. "Good play, good design, something we'd worked on all week. Good throw by Dante). … I don't think the route was very good and I don't think I was moving very fast. I've been on the other end of that, so I get mad at guys and I did the same thing there. I think it was a good throw and Dante's thrown it well all week. He's done a good job with it and just tried to execute it."
Pettis jokingly complained that Jones could have helped him throw an NFL touchdown pass.
"I thought that was a dime if he would have kept running," Pettis said. "He made a great catch, so I guess it worked out even better. Yeah, I thought it was a pretty good throw."
Jones was clobbered at the end of the play by Carolina safety Sean Chandler, a former Giant.
"I honestly didn't see the hit," Pettis said. "As soon as I saw him pull it in, I turned around and fist-pumped. I was celebrating already. I didn't even know he got hit like that honestly, so, sorry Daniel."
After a dominating performance on Sunday, all was forgiven.
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