EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Daniel Jones is the first to admit he didn't play to his capability or approach the performance level he sets for himself in the Giants' season opener.

The sixth-year quarterback threw 20 incompletions and two interceptions – the first was returned for a touchdown, the second was in the end zone – was sacked five times and did not lead his team to a touchdown in a 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

It is Brian Daboll's job as the head coach and the play-caller to devise a plan that will elevate Jones' performance and enable the offense to show significant improvement and score more points when the Giants visit the Washington Commanders Sunday in Northwest Stadium.

Daboll must also ensure Jones did not experience any loss of confidence and is mentally and emotionally ready to play his best.

"I've had plenty of conversations with multiple players," Daboll said today. "He's someone that I talk to every day. We talk about the discipline to do things right on and off the field like he always does, having a positive attitude regardless of situation.

"It's never easy when you lose a game, or you don't play well, or you don't coach well. That's the National Football League. This is 24 years into it (for Daboll in the NFL). There's not much of that I haven't experienced. So, keeping a positive attitude, doing the things that you need to do each and every week to prepare for a game, which he'll do. And then handling things with the right mindset. Be able to persevere through things, let your passion show, have competitive stamina. Mental toughness is a real thing. Focus on the things that's important, which is what his coaches are teaching him to do, how he goes out and practices with the right mindset. That's what you do with every player, with every coach."

Throughout his career, Jones has received an avalanche of public criticism from fans, the media, and even other NFL players. But Jones has also developed a hardened and stoic veneer that is obvious to his teammates, coaches, and anyone who spends time with him.

"I feel like I've been doubted plenty for a long time and dealt with that time and time again and done a good job with it," he said. "I think my mental toughness is in a good spot and I'm not concerned about that."

"I've said a number of times I'm concerned about the people in this building. I think I've got plenty of help, plenty of good coaching, plenty of good teammates to work with here. That's what I'm focused on. I've got people I trust, who I have relationships with, who can help me out. But in terms of other people and what they have to say or what they think from their perspective and what their observations are, it's really not very important to me."

It's not the reaction that disturbed Jones, but what transpired in MetLife Stadium. Jones completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards. His 44.3 passer rating was the third lowest of his 62 career starts, including two in the postseason.

After reviewing every play with his coaches, Jones kept his conclusions mostly to himself.

"Definitely some things to clean up and do better," he said. "Some missed opportunities. I think overall just playing quicker, being cleaner with my feet. Definitely some things to clean up and I'll look to do that.

"We (Daboll and Jones) obviously broke down the game, and it's play by play. It's specific to what happened and where the correction needs to be. I think footwork wise, finding opportunities when they're there and delivering the ball accurately. But a lot of things I talked about improving were points of emphasis after watching the film."

Anything else?

"I think just seeing it and trusting it, being decisive and going," Jones said. "I think certain decisions here and there could have done a better job. Each play you try to take something from and learn something and then apply that to this week of practice and improve it."

The game was Jones' first since he tore his ACL last Nov. 5 in Las Vegas. But he refused to cite the injury and long rehab for any hesitation he might have had.

"I think just playing and playing fast, trusting it," he said. "I think those are things you try to practice through the week and getting out there, getting to a rhythm, getting to a flow and getting going."

Jones was not only sacked five times, he also absorbed 12 hits. In his 62 starts, Jones has been sacked 193 times. He insists that has not taken a mental toll on him.

"I think in the NFL, there's good pass rushers and defense is schemed up to affect the quarterback," he said. "Part of my job is being able to deal with that, move, find the space. When there's pressure in my face, stand in and deliver it. I feel like I've done that throughout my career and continuing to work on that and improve that."

As with so many things in football and endeavors in life, progress begins with excelling at basic functions.

"Certainly, I think fundamentally (there are) some things to clean up and just seeing it, trusting it, decision making," Jones said. "I think all those things. In each play there are certain things that come up that need to be corrected. I'll look to do that. I'm confident in my ability, confident in my ability to go out and execute and look forward to doing that on Sunday.

"I'm playing to win games. I'm playing to lead the team to score points and win games. And that's always been my focus. I know I can do that. I've just got to do it well."

*On the 23^rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Daboll wore an FDNY cap and began his news conference with a remembrance of that day and tribute to those who served.

"First and foremost, prayers, thoughts go out to anyone that was affected in that tragedy that happened 23 years ago," he said. "Spoke to the team a little bit about that today. Thank you to the military, police, firefighters, first responders. Very vivid in my mind where I was at that time, and I'm sure it is for a lot of you. Always a tough day. Again, very thankful for the people that helped along the way, and prayers to the people that were affected by it."

*Four Giants did not practice: wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion protocol), cornerback Nick McCloud (knee), linebacker Darius Muasau (knee), and wide receiver/return specialist Gunner Olszewski (groin). Linebacker Micah McFadden, who was limited last week with a groin injury and did not play vs. Minnesota, was a full practice participant.