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FOOTBALL

Daniel Jones To Make First Career Start As New York Heads To Tampa Bay

Daniel Jones was drafted as the sixth pick in April’s NFL Draft out of Duke.

At some point he would be the starter we just didn’t know when.

With the New York Giants beginning the season 0-2 with their first loss coming on the road at Dallas by a score of 35-17 and then their second loss coming in their home opener at the Meadowlands to Buffalo by a score of 28-14 his first start will come Sunday while Eli Manning’s 202 consecutive starts come to an end as the thirty eight year old veteran has helped New York win two Super Bowls rings with both victories coming against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

During the preseason Daniel Jones was outstanding in the preseason. In four games, he completed 29 of 34 passes (85.3%) for 416 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a glittering 137.2 rating. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/daniel-jones-named-giants-starting-quarterback-for-week-3

New York who is a member of the NFC East comes into the game with a record of 0-2 while Tampa Bay who is a member of the NFC South comes into the game with a record of 1-1.

As for New York’s previous game,

Similar to last week, the New York Giants slowed after a fast start and lost 28-14 to the Buffalo Bills in their home opener at MetLife Stadium. With the loss, the Giants started 0-2 for the second consecutive year. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

The Giants ran right at last year’s second-rank defense to start the game. Pat Shurmur called five consecutive run plays that went for 75 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown by Saquon Barkley. Wide receiver Bennie Fowler, who started in place of Sterling Shepard (concussion), also had a 20-yard carry as the Giants scored on their first offensive series for the second week in a row. Unfortunately for the Giants, the similarities between Weeks 1 and 2 didn’t end there. The offense stalled and didn’t find the end zone again until TJ Jones’ four-yard touchdown catch with 11:56 left in the fourth quarter. The score, which was set up by a nine-yard catch from Cody Latimer on fourth-and-two at the Bills 15, brought the Giants to within seven points of Buffalo. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Manning started with four incompletions, including a dropped pass by Fowler on third down. He finished 26 of 45 for 250 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted shortly before halftime by defensive end Trent Murphy on tipped ball by defensive tackle Ed Oliver at the line of scrimmage, and again by Jordan Poyer on a last-ditch throw to the Bills two-yard line with three minutes left in the game.”according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Offensive and defensively, third down continued to be a problem for the Giants, who lost the first-half time of possession battle 18:02-11:58. They converted just three of 12 third downs on Sunday and had only one red-zone drive.”according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Latimer suffered a concussion on the fourth-down conversion and did not return to the game. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Barkley rushed 18 times for 107 yards and a touchdown, and caught three passes for 28 yards. It was his ninth 100-yard rushing performance and his 15th game with 100 yards from scrimmage. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE:

*The Giants, who did not record a sack (or force a turnover) in Week 1, took down second-year quarterback Josh Allen sacked on the Bills' second play. Markus Golden and Lorenzo Carter combined for the sack as the defense forced a three-and-out on the Bills’ first possession. Their next three drives, however, led to touchdowns. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

Allen, who leads all NFL quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns and 10-yard runs since he came into the league in 2018, ran in his 10th career touchdown. Entering Sunday, the Bills were 6-1 when the former seventh overall draft pick had a rushing touchdown, and 0-6 when he did not. Running back Devin Singletary then scored on a 14-yard run, and Isaiah McKenzie found the end zone on a jet sweep from Allen, also 14 yards. The latter was set up by a 51-yard reception from former Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

The Bills converted all but one of their five third downs to start the game as they controlled the clock for much of the first half. They were also successful in all four trips to the red zone in the game. The tipping point was a third-and-six play midway through the fourth quarter. Allen scrambled and bought enough time to find an open John Brown for a 17-yard gain. It extended a drive that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Frank Gore to give Buffalo a 28-14 lead with 5:53 to play. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Fifth-round draft choice Ryan Connelly moved ahead of Tae Davis on the depth chart this week and started opposite Alec Ogletree at inside linebacker. The rookie was a bright spot and flashed at times with five tackles. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS:

*Antonio Hamilton made the special teams play of the day in the second quarter. He caught Riley Dixon’s punt before it bounced in the end zone and flung it with two hands over his helmet to Cody Core, who downed it at the two-yard line. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Jones, who signed back with the team this week after he was released on cut day, had a 60-yard punt return to give the Giants some life before halftime. Two plays later, the Bills intercepted Manning to take a 21-7 lead in the locker room. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

*Aldrick Rosas had succeeded on 20 consecutive field goal attempts coming into the game, the longest active streak in the NFL, but the streak ended just before halftime when he missed a 48-yard attempt wide left.”according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-lose-to-bills-28-14

Unlike New York, Tampa Bay won their previous game as they topped Carolina.

The Bucs won the toss to start their Thursday Night matchup with the Carolina Panthers and elected to receiver. Though the first play of the game was a 22-yard completion by quarterback Jameis Winston to wide receiver Chris Godwin, the Bucs would stall, going three-and-out behind a big tackle for loss of running back Peyton Barber by the Panthers’ Luke Kuechly. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The ensuing punt was fumbled by Carolina and quickly picked up, but not before allowing the Bucs time to get down the field and pin the Panthers at their own 10-yard line. Carolina moved down the field before a couple of big stops in the run game brought up fourth-and-one. Newton took off and tried to lunge for it but safety Jordan Whitehead stopped him short. The spot was challenged by the Panthers but the call ultimately stood, giving the Bucs the ball back at midfield halfway through the first quarter. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

Following the challenge, the field was cleared due to inclement weather in Charlotte. After a 27-minute delay, the two teams resumed play. The Bucs got as far as the Carolina 22 before being stopped short. The field goal unit came on and booted a 40-yarder to give the Bucs the first lead of the game, 3-0, with 5:36 left in the first quarter.”according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Panthers kicked off the next drive with a 44-yard completion to wide receiver Curtis Samuel from Newton. Though Tampa Bay would allow Carolina into the red zone, the defense wouldn’t break, stopping the Panthers on the 14-yard line. Carolina would settle for a 32-yard field goal to even the score at 3 apiece with just under three minutes to go in the first.”according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Bucs would be stopped on their next drive following a too-many-men on the field penalty that turned third-and-1 into third-and-6, which they would not convert. However, Carolina muffed the ensuing punt resulting in the Panthers having to start at their own 22-yard line.”according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Carolina drive wouldn’t go very far following back-to-back penalties that brought up third-and-20. Rookie outside linebacker Anthony Nelson swatted down Newton’s attempt at a screen, forcing the Panthers to punt. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

Tampa Bay’s drive stuttered with a false start penalty on first down followed by a tackle for loss of running back Ronald Jones that brought up second-and-17. The Bucs were hit with another false start penalty and then a sack, forcing the Bucs to punt.”according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

After a 39-yard punt return, the defense again held the Panthers to just a field goal. Kicker Joey Slye gave Carolina their first lead of the game, 6-3, with 8:26 remaining in the half. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Bucs came up empty on their next drive but the defense returned the favor as the Panthers traded a punt right back. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

Finally, the Buccaneer offense would get going, sparked by a 41-yard dime from Winston to wide receiver Mike Evans down the far sideline that immediately put the Bucs in scoring range. A hard-fought completion to tight end Cam Brate on third down for the first down was followed by a 20-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Chris Godwin. The point after was good by Gay and the Bucs went up 10-6 with 1:20 left in the half. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Panthers got down the field in a hurry but the Bucs defense would force the field goal attempt. Slye was good from 54 yards and the Panthers cut the lead to 10-9 going into halftime. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Panthers’ opening drive got a hot start behind a big completion to tight end Greg Olsen for 33 yards. Following that though, outside linebacker Shaq Barrett registered the Bucs’ first sack of the night, dropping Newton for a loss of eight. The Tampa Bay defense kept the pressure on, registering two consecutive quarterback hits from inside linebacker Kevin Minter and defensive tackle Vita Vea, forcing the Panthers to punt. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Bucs’ drive wouldn’t go anywhere, either, going three-and-out to punt the ball right back. A 41-yard completion to Olsen would get the Panthers in scoring range but two sacks in a row, including one on third down, from outside linebacker Shaq Barrett would force Carolina to settle for a field goal. Slye was good from 51 yards out and the Panthers took the lead back, 12-10, with 7:51 to go in the third quarter. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Bucs moved down the field on their next series thanks to wide receiver Chris Godwin surpassing 100 yards along with an unnecessary roughness penalty called on former Buccaneer Gerald McCoy. The drive culminated in a 16-yard run up-the-gut from running back Peyton Barber to give the Bucs a 17-12 lead with 4:20 left in the third.”according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The Panthers’ next drive was cut short after rookie outside linebacker Anthony Nelson forced a fumble from Newton, which was then recovered by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The Bucs took over at the Panthers’ 45-yard line. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

It wouldn’t amount to any points for the Bucs as they got stopped short with Gay attempting a 42-yard field goal that went inches right of the uprights. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

The next Panthers possession resulted in a punt but they would gain some points on the next Buccaneers possession when running back Peyton Barber was tackled in the end zone by Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly, resulting in a safety and making the score 17-14, with the Bucs’ lead cut to only three points. The defense would hold the Panthers again despite seeing a third-and-one and subsequent fourth-and-one situation. As a result, Carolina turned the ball over on downs. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

That next possession resulted in a three-and-out for the Buccaneers behind two sacks of Winston. They’d punt the ball only to trade again as the Panthers went three-and-out on their next drive. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

Tampa Bay moved down the field on a well-balanced next drive. A quick slant to Mike Evans and a subsequent run by Peyton Barber would get them inside the red zone. The Bucs were faced with a third-and-5 at the 14-yard line, the ball went incomplete to Evans. Gay hit the 32-yard field goal to put the Bucs up 20-14 with 2:26 remaining in the game. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

Right at the two-minute warning, Carolina challenged pass interference on a no call. It stood as called and Carolina was charged with a timeout. The Bucs were hit with a facemask penalty that gave the Panthers a fresh set of downs at the Tampa Bay 11-yard-line.”according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

In dramatic fashion, the Panthers got as close as the one-yard line with one last shot on fourth down. The Buccaneers held them off and after what felt like eons of review time, the call stood and Tampa Bay took over on downs at their own one-yard line. They'd hold off for the win on the road. “according to https://www.buccaneers.com/news/rapid-reaction-buccaneers-panthers-game-recap-final-score

Kick-off is set for 4:05pm from Raymond James Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox.