The Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders presented the NY Giants with a formidable opening-day matchup before their calendar genuinely started to fill up with formidable opponents in 2024.
The game against the Commanders took on a whole new significance following a lopsided defeat to the Vikings in Week 1, who may have been better than many believed after their victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. Lose, otherwise you risk having no wins in September. As luck would have it, the Giants lost to their old foe, Washington, who they had been beating consistently over the last two seasons, even with poor morale. Daniel Jones and company were unable to rise above the Washington club.
Once more, the Giants remain winless, and the team’s future appears more uncertain than ever. Especially on defense, they appeared to be constructed from the ground up, but after two games, players like Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux had not shown. Even though their performance in Week 2 was far, far better than their performance against the Vikings, the offensive line appears to be improving on offense, but they haven’t been able to put together a coherent game. Having said that, is it possible that these three players will not get as much playing time going forward?
First, Cor’Dale Flott is seeming more like a miss than a potential starter for the Giants and general manager Joe Schoen. The former LSU defensive back had some solid intangibles, and he’s made some important plays during his time in the league, but during his third season with the Giants, he looks like nothing more than a replacement-level player, and that’s unacceptable for a defense trying to pass him off as the CB2.
Giants fans were likely cursing Flott’s name throughout the first two weeks, as he allowed a touchdown in Week 1, and he looked completely overmatched during the most important downs against the Commanders. If the Giants don’t have anyone else that can play opposite Deonte Banks more effectively, that’s a major issue, and everyone from Deshaun Watson to Dak Prescott will continue ravaging the defense every weekend.
Next, Darius Slayton seems to have had nine lives with the Giants during his time in New York, but with every loss, the clock begins to tick a little bit faster on his tenure with the franchise. The veteran wide receiver has yet to make an impact in the first two weeks, and when Daniel Jones has looked his way, Slayton hasn’t been able to make the play. He had a critical two-point conversion attempt bounce off his hands, and while it wasn’t exactly an easy catch, Jones gave his longtime receiver a chance, and the former Auburn star couldn’t handle it.
Behind Slayton, the Giants have some interesting wide receiver prospects, like Jalin Hyatt and Bryce Ford-Wheaton. It already feels like Slayton is living on borrowed time, as he wasn’t given the extension he wanted before the season. The Giants could look to trade the embattled wide receiver and recoup some assets while getting a better look at their depth moving forward if they can’t put together a winning streak beginning in Week 3.
Finally, Daniel Jones, even though he played a much better game in Week 2, could be playing his final games as the Giants starting quarterback following a tough start to the season for New York. Quite simply, Jones was terrible against the Vikings, and while he played better against Washington, the Giants left yards and points on the field. Jones played decently, but he’s still 0-2 to start the year.
Baker Mayfield carved up the Commanders for four touchdowns the week prior, and if it wasn’t for Malik Nabers’ ability after the catch, Jones’ line wouldn’t have looked nearly as good. If he looks more like he did against the Vikings than the Commanders when the Giants head to Cleveland in Week 3, and that’s certainly possible due to the Browns’ stout defense, Brian Daboll could look for a change at the position, with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito itching for a chance to push the ball downfield. Neither are tremendous options, but sometimes a change is all that’s necessary when you can’t find a win. Jones is safe for now, but if NY keeps losing, he might need to hit the bench.
