Grading the Giants: Several low marks in opening loss to Vikings

OFFENSE: The start of a 17-week referendum on Daniel Jones’ future with the Giants could not have possibly gone worse. Jones (22-for-42, 186 yards, two interceptions) either threw short of receivers or into the ground. Not helping his cause was that the Vikings were able to cave in the pocket without blitzing. Nor was it especially beneficial that the Giants were able to rush for only 74 yards against a front seven that is not reminiscent of the Purple People Eaters. Devin Singletary led the Giants with 37 yards on 10 carries. In his NFL debut, Malik Nabers caught five passes for 66 yards. GRADE: F

DEFENSE: Hey, you know those concerns about the secondary that were much discussed during training camp and preseason? They were well-founded. Sam Darnold may have had the easiest day of his NFL career as he dissected the Giants (19 of 24 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns), who were unable to pressure him. Nor could they slow Aaron Jones (19 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown). It is suboptimal for a team not to be able stop the run or rush the passer or cover receivers. Usually. GRADE: F

SPECIAL TEAMS: Graham Gano made field goals of 23 and 50 yards. And the foursome of Ty Summers, Dane Belton, Nick McCloud, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton combined for the day’s lone highlight, downing Jamie Gillian’s punt at the one-yard line. Gillian, who punted six times in the loss, averaged 46.3 yards per. GRADE: B

COACHING: Brian Daboll opened his news conference by saying the Giants have “a lot to clean up.” He also said that he believed the team “prepared well.” Both statistical analysis and the eye test would disagree with him. The Giants finished with 240 yards of offense on 68 plays, an average of 3.5 yards per play. By comparison, the Vikings totaled 312 yards on 51 plays, an average of 6.1 yards per play. More concerning than that was the Giants looked completely overmatched offensively and defensively by a middling at best Minnesota team. GRADE: F.