In Week 1 last season, the Giants scored just six points in a 22-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It foreshadowed what would be a painful 2024 campaign for the offense and the collective team. New York slogged to a 3-14 record. The offensive unit finished 31st in the 32 team NFL at 16.1 points per game. Only the Cleveland Browns, who averaged 15.2, were worse.
The Giants were 28th in total yards at 294.8 per outing, passing for a .just 189.9. The only team to make the playoffs that passed for fewer yards was the Philadelphia Eagles who had — wait for it — former Giants running back Saquon Barkley putting up remarkable numbers, rushing for a league high 2,005 yards in 16 games.
This past Sunday in their regular season opener on the road facing the Washington Commanders, the Giants produced a surreal sequel to their abysmal offensive performance 12 months ago, generating the same non-competitive result in a 21-6 defeat.
Starting quarterback Russell Wilson, playing in his first regular season game as a Giant, and operating an offense that besides gifted wide receiver Malik Nabers has a dearth of Pro Bowl-caliber players, looked like he was ready to concede the QB1 spot to rookie Jaxson Dart. Not because Dart is likely to turn the Giants offense into a potent group, but because they selected him 25th overall in April’s draft to be their future franchise signal caller and the future appears to be now. The 36-year-old veteran Wilson was 17-37 for 168 yards and ran for 44.
On Tuesday speaking with the media, Giants head coach Brian Daboll committed to Wilson for this Sunday’s game (1 p.m.) in Dallas versus the Cowboys.
“…You know, it’s an emotional game, it’s a tough game,” Daboll said.
“[We] didn’t play particularly well, I would say, collectively, but in terms of making any of those decisions, really at any position or schematic changes, I’d like to do it with a clear head and watch the tape. Again, like I said yesterday, that game doesn’t fall on Russell Wilson. We’ve got to do a better job collectively, coaching, playing, but Russ will be the starter.”
Conversely, despite a 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their former quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets offense showed promise under the direction of quarterback Justin Fields, who made his regular season debut with the team. First-year head coach Aaron Glenn and new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand devised a plan that deftly combined an effective balance of passing and running. Fields was 16-22 for 218 yards and amassed 48 on the ground. In total the Jets gained 182 rushing yards topped by running back Breece Hall, who had 107.
The Jets play the Buffalo Bills at MetLife this Sunday (1 p.m.).