EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Seven games into the season, the New York Giants are fading fast.
The Giants' offense had its second straight no-show performance in a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday that showed them just how much they miss star running back Saquon Barkley.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) pushes his way across the goal line for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) steps back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) and cornerback Kelee Ringo (22) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) avoids a tackle from New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) carries the ball against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Playing against his former teammates for the first time since signing with the Eagles in March, Barkley had his second-best rushing game, gaining 176 yards and scoring a touchdown as the Giants fell to 2-5. They are last in the NFC East, behind Washington (5-2), Philadelphia (4-2) and Dallas (3-3).
“No one was happy about the result,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “I think we have a strong group. You need to have a strong group in this league. There’s a lot of ups and downs. Unfortunately, we’ve had more downs. But our guys will come back. We’ll regroup and we’ll do everything we possibly can do, like we do each week, to be at our best on Monday night.”
This was an ugly loss. Barkley had 187 total yards — 68 more than the Giants' entire offense. While the defense limited Jalen Hurts to 114 yards passing, it allowed 269 yards rushing.
And that wasn't the only problem. Daniel Jones was lifted in the fourth quarter after New York fell behind 28-3 on Hurts' second rushing TD. Backup Drew Lock took over and fumbled the snap on his first play. He recovered the fumble, but he didn't provide the spark Daboll was hoping for.
Jones, who went 14 of 21 for 99 yards, was frustrated about being removed, even though he was under pressure all game as the Eagles recorded a season-high eight sacks. They entered the game with 11 this season and took advantage of Giants left tackle Josh Ezeudu, who replaced the injured Andrew Thomas.
“You want to be out there playing with your teammates and fighting to score points and move the ball,” Jones said. “So, I was frustrated, but not my decision. Yeah, frustrating for sure, I want to be out there playing.”
The remaining fans at MetLife Stadium didn't want him out there. They cheered when Lock entered the game but saw their team fall to 0-4 at home, scoring 31 points in those games.
The Giants' longest play was a 14-yard pass to Malik Nabers. Barkley had runs of 55, 41 and 38 yards for Philadelphia and Hurts threw a 41-yard TD pass to A.J. Brown.
New York's 119 yards of offense was its fewest under Daboll (his previous worst was 150 at San Francisco on Sept. 21, 2023). The Giants hadn't gained fewer yards since Sept. 12, 1999, when they finished with 112 at Tampa Bay.
The Giants will have an extra day to prepare for their next game, next Monday night at Pittsburgh.
“We just have to do more, do better,” right tackle Jermaine Eleumunor said.
What the Giants can't do is give up, and it seemed some players were going through the motions late. Not a good sign.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) pushes his way across the goal line for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) steps back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) and cornerback Kelee Ringo (22) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) avoids a tackle from New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) carries the ball against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels' health was the first thing on Marcus Mariota's mind when he went into the game for the injured rookie quarterback. Then he just played football like he has his whole life.
After Daniels left with a rib injury, the Washington Commanders routed the Carolina Panthers 40-7 on Sunday behind two touchdown passes from Mariota and a 67-yard pick-6 of Andy Dalton by Dante Fowler.
“It takes a little bit to kind of get your feet going and all that, but, yeah, you’re just thinking about the player first and then from there you just go out there and try to to execute,” said Mariota, who was 18 of 23 for 205 yards with TD passes to tight ends Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott.
Concern over Daniels' status overshadowed the victory after the No. 2 pick and offensive rookie of the year favorite left with a rib injury. His mother posted on social media that “he's fine,” but coach Dan Quinn said only that he had no update and that Daniels would undergo further tests Monday.
The Commanders (5-2) did just fine without Daniels for a vast majority of the game after he had a 46-yard run and completed a couple of passes on their opening possession. They already led at that point thanks to Fowler's pick-6, Andy Dalton's first of two interceptions, the second by Emmanuel Forbes, who returned from being a healthy scratch last week.
After after catching his first interception of any kind in the NFL, Fowler saw open field and thought, “It’s time to go score a touchdown.”
“Man, it was like I was in a dream,” Fowler said.
The defense dominated, allowing 180 yards, stopping seven of 10 third-down chances and sacking Dalton twice.
With Mariota running the show, Washington chugged along and racked up 421 yards against the Panthers (1-6), who allowed the most points through of any team in the Super Bowl era through the first six games of a season.
“Between giving the ball way and just not being able to get off the field, I think they scored on all but one drive,” said Carolina coach Dave Canales, who committed to Dalton starting next week over 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young.
Brian Robinson Jr. also ran for a touchdown in his return from a knee injury, which caused him to miss the game last week at Baltimore — his team's first loss since the opener. The 27-point halftime lead was the franchise's biggest since being up 28-0 on Dallas on Dec. 18, 2005.
Carolina's lost season continued five games into Dalton supplanting Young as the starting QB. Dalton finished 11 of 16 for 93 yards, and Young entered in mop-up duty with 4:55 left, completing two passes for negative yardage.
“It got out of our hands quick,” Dalton said. "We have to look ourselves in the mirror and say, ‘Why do these games keep going like this?’ I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Chuba Hubbard was limited to 52 yards on 17 carries after averaging averaging over 100 over the past four weeks. He ran for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter long after the outcome was decided and fans who were doing the wave earlier long departed to beat the traffic.
“At the end of the day, we won handily and I think the defense did an unbelievable job,” said Terry McLaurin, Washington's leading receiver with six catches for 98 yards.
Panthers: RB Raheem Blackshear left with a shoulder injury from a kickoff return midway through the third quarter. ... TE Tommy Tremble (back) was inactive after being listed as questionable.
Commanders: In addition to losing Daniels, rookie LT Brandon Coleman was concussed in the first half.
Panthers: At Denver next Sunday.
Commanders: Host Chicago next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) talks Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (18) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders 40-7. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders 40-7. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders 40-7. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders 40-7. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders 40-7. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders fans celebrate after a touchdown run by Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (18) runs from Carolina Panthers defensive end LaBryan Ray (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates with teammates after catching a 12-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders place kicker Austin Seibert (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass in front of Carolina Panthers cornerback Dane Jackson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson (52) and defensive end LaBryan Ray (93) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott, right, celebrates after catching a 3-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (18) runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (13) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs from Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21) and linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. (45) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
