The New York Giants were the only NFL team to fail to reach double digits in points scored Sunday with their 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The sold-out crowd at MetLife Stadium responded accordingly, booing the team for every miss and for Daniel Jones’ two interceptions, including a pitiful interception by Andrew Van Ginkel late in the third quarter.
Jones was playing in his first game since Nov. 5, 2023, after recovering from a torn ACL. He completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and those two interceptions, while being tackled five times.
The boos were plentiful, coming from a frustrated fan base, which upset Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
“I don’t respect that, honestly,” Lawrence said. “I get it, they want to see their team win. It’s just a tough time. That’s just the way it is.”
Offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said he understands the fans’ feelings.
“I don’t blame them. We have to be better and we will be better,” he said. “Obviously, it’s New York City, they want to win. Us as an offense and me as a player and a starting right tackle, we can always get better. There’s always more to do, win or lose.”
The frustration is mostly due to Jones’ play. He signed a four-year, $160 million contract before the 2023 season and the Giants are now 1-6 in games he’s started since then and have scored in just three of them.
“It’s our job to give them a reason to celebrate,” Jones said. “And we take that seriously.”
To add to the myriad of problems, like Josh Dubow of the Associated Press pointed out that, following Van Ginkel’s interception, Jones has now thrown more touchdown passes to opposing teams (3) than to his teammates (2) since signing the contract.
It got to the point where fans were booing Jones as he left the stadium after Sunday’s loss.
Eluemunor replied to this post on X “I understand, but it’s absolutely crazy. As someone who has suffered and still struggles with depression and self-confidence issues, this has to stop. It’s normal to be angry as a fan, but to come to the players’ entrance and act like this is inhumane. We will be better, it has to be better too.”
After reaching the playoffs in their first season under head coach Brian Daboll in 2022, the Giants have gone 7-11 since then and the pressure is on for a quick turnaround. Jobs are on the line, including Daboll’s, and if Jones continues to struggle, it would be wise to turn to Drew Lock, who signed in March, or Tommy DeVito, who had a hot streak last season after Jones was injured.
There will be a lot of…