Jason, Giants pick right time to flip switch

The Giants’ offensive play-calling unquestionably got more aggressive and emphasized pushing the ball down the field after a concerning failure on the goal line in Sunday’s third quarter. Daniel Jones already had hit John Ross for a deep touchdown in the second quarter, but a jet sweep run to tight end Evan Engram for a three-yard loss on 2nd and goal from the 2 was frustratingly predictable.

Jones’ third-down throw for tight end Kyle Rudolph while covered by corner Marshon Lattimore nearly was intercepted. At that point, the Giants were 0-for-2 on red-zone touchdowns with only three points to show for two trips inside the 20. Soon they trailed, 21-10, in the early fourth.

That’s when offensive coordinator Jason Garrett seemingly began to pull out all the stops, with four of Jones’ six longest completions coming in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“I think Jason did a really good job today of feeling the flow of the game and taking the opportunities that were presented to us,” coach Joe Judge said.

Garrett dialed up a creative tight end screen to the left that had a chance, albeit to Kyle Rudolph instead of Evan Engram for a 4-yard game. Then the OC used rookie Kadarius Toney’s catch and run talent for 21 yards.

Then he called a wide receiver pass play for Toney — a former high school quarterback — that resulted in a 1-yard run because Toney saw no one open.

Then came Jones’ 1st down shot play to Saquon Barkley for a 54-yard TD, born out of Barkley’s observation on the Saints’ coverage earlier in the game. And from there the offense turned up another notch, with Garrett highlighting Kenny Golladay and Ross down the field.

All told, Jones racked up completions of 21, 54, 28, 17, 18 and 23 in the fourth quarter and OT.

Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins admitted that the Giants’ ability to hit big plays was the X-factor in negating any progress New Orleans’ defense had generated in the game.

“Big plays will eliminate all of that, you know?” Jenkins said.

Garrett deserves credit for pivoting, and it’s fair to wonder how much conferencing occurred with senior offensive assistant Freddie Kitchens and the rest of the staff at that juncture given how many aggressive concepts and chances the offense took late.

However it happened, a switch definitely flipped for the better in the offensive approach, and the Giants are going to need to stay just as aggressive this Sunday when they play at D Dallas. ak Prescott’s Cowboys are averaging 31.5 points and 420.8 yards per game. The Giants are averaging 20.8 points and 384 yards.

This was a great win over the Saints, and now the Giants have to prove they can beat a team that can score.