:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65297447/usa_today_13399981.0.jpg)
It’s safe to say New York Giants fans are truly in a glass case of emotion following Week 3. They saw stud running back Saquon Barkley go down with an ankle injury in the second quarter and get ruled out for the rest of the game. The team was getting thumped, only for rookie Daniel Jones to put together a monster second half in his starting debut.
The Giants beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-31 on a game-winning drive capped by a seven-yard Jones scramble. It was his second rushing touchdown of the day, and capped an unbelievable starting debut in which he threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 28 yards to go with the two touchdowns. The Bucs shockingly drove down to a goal to go situation in Giants territory, only to miss a 34-yard field goal as time expired.
The Bucs are a bad football team, but that shouldn’t take away from an incredibly impressive performance by Jones. There were plenty of cynics when the Giants drafted him, but in one day he’s provided more spark to this team than Eli Manning did over the past two years. He’s going to be a popular fantasy football waiver wire option, and in dynasty leagues, owners have to be pumped.
The Giants improved to 1-2, but the performance is tempered by Barkley’s injury. He was seen with crutches and a walking boot after he was ruled out the rest of the game. He finished with ten rushing yards on eight attempts and 27 receiving yards on four receptions. Wayne Gallman took Barkley’s place, but only had five rushes for 13 yards as the Giants had to win this one through the air.
Barkley will likely be getting an MRI on his ankle on Monday to determine if this is a high ankle sprain or something a little more moderate. The Giants host Washington in Week 4.