New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Giants’ Jones looks to stay perfect vs. Washington
LANDOVER, Md. — Even if Daniel Jones knows why he has been so successful in his career against Washington, the New York Giants quarterback wants no part of sharing that insight.
Each game is different, Jones insists, yet he’s 4-0 against Washington and 4-19 against the rest of the NFL through his first twoplus pro seasons.
“He runs well with the ball — he’s a dynamic runner,“Washington coach
Ron Rivera said. “So, that’s been it: He’s got a good arm, strong-arm quarterback who throws the ball.”
Sometimes for a costly interception. Or he might be putting the ball on the ground for a fumble, something Jones did as much or more than any other player in the league the past two years. Now Jones is looking to keep his undefeated run going against Washington, which is turning to unproven but popular Taylor Heinicke to start after Ryan Fitzpatrick injured his right hip in Week 1.
The matchup between Washington’s fearsome — or what should be fearsome — pass rush against New York’s offensive line will go a long way toward determining who wins the NFC East matchup on Thursday night. Yet all eyes are on the quarterbacks with mistakeprone potential in Jones going up against a journeyman in Heinicke who almost outdueled Tom Brady in the playoffs last season.
“I just remember him being a gunslinger,” said Giants cornerback James Bradberry, who played for the Panthers in Heinicke’s only other regular-season NFL start back in 2018 with Carolina. “(He is) willing to take chances, trusting his receivers and giving them opportunities to make plays.”
The trust is there between Jones and secondyear coach Joe Judge, who inherited the 2019 No. 6 overall draft pick when he got the job. Jones fumbled
for the 30th time in New York’s Week 1 loss to Denver, but also threw for 267 yards and a touchdown.
“Daniel prepares extremely well,” Judge said. “Daniel goes out there and practices hard every day. He goes out there and we have confidence in him because of the way he prepares on a weekly basis, doing everything it takes to be ready for the game.”
Washington has that kind of confidence in Heinicke, despite most teammates not knowing who he was a year ago. Heinicke was signed as the “quarantine quarterback” after the Broncos fiasco that forced them to start a receiver because of virus protocols. But the way the former Old Dominion star played and ran with reckless abandon late last season and in the playoffs made him into a fan favorite and a player other guys rally around.
“I’m excited to be out there, it’s been a dream of mine and I want to go out there and play some good football and win games,” Heinicke said. “Maybe that’s it. I just try and go out there
and give the guys some energy and hopefully go get a win.”
SAQUON AGAIN
While every player is facing the same short turnaround, it’s a bigger deal for Giants running back Saquon Barkley having a second game in four days coming off a major knee injury. Barkley, who tore the ACL in his right knee last season, rushed for 26 yards on 10 carries against the Broncos.
“I haven’t gotten tackled in a whole year or played in a football game in a whole year,” Barkley said. “There’s always going to be some soreness. Definitely a quick turnaround this week, but that’s why I’ve got to be a pro and get my body ready.”
THIRD-AND-ONGOING
Washington’s defense allowed a league-high 73.7% conversion rate on third downs in Week 1, a 20-16 loss to Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. The unit led by reigning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young was supposed to be the team’s strength, and after every Chargers drive reached the red zone there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“All of us took it personally because that’s not what we want to put on tape,” linebacker Jon Bostic said. “That’s not our standard.”