Giants-Washington is a matchup of unproven QBs
If Daniel Jones knows why he has been so successful in his career against Washington, the Giants’ quarterback wants no part of sharing that.
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 two-plus pro seasons.
“He runs well with the ball — he’s a dynamic runner,“Washington head 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 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 Thursday night. Yet all eyes are on the quarterbacks with mistake-prone potential in Jones going against a journeyman in Heinicke who almost outdueled Tom Brady in the playoffs last season.
“I just remember him being a gunslinger,” said New York cornerback James Bradberry, who played for the Panthers in Heinicke’s only regular-season NFL start back in 2018 with Carolina. Heinicke is “willing to take chances, trusting his receivers and giving them opportunities to make plays.”
The trust is there between Jones and second-year head coach Joe Judge, who inherited the 2019 No. 6 overall draft pick. 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.”
Though every player is facing the same short turnaround, it’s a bigger deal for Giants running back Saquon Barkley having a second game in five 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. “... Definitely a quick turnaround this week, but that’s why I’ve got to be a pro and get my body ready.” Saints’ outbreak: New Orleans head coach Sean Payton said that a group of his offensive coaches, along with the team’s nutritionist and a player, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
He didn’t identify by name those who had tested positive, but he later indicated that those missing from in-person preparations included an offensive line coach, a receivers coach, a running backs coach and two tight-ends coaches.
On Tuesday, wide receiver Michael Thomas — ineligible to play the first six games while on the club’s physically unable to perform list — went on the COVID-19 reserve list. Briefly: Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence broke a foot in practice and likely will be out at least six weeks, two sources said . ... The Jets are expected to get wide receivers Jamison Crowder (COVID) and Keelan Cole (knee) back this week, with both possibly able to play Sunday against New England . ... Cleveland wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t ready to play after knee surgery and won’t play Sunday against Houston.