Offensive line, wide receivers failed Giants' Daniel Jones in loss to Cowboys

Lingering questions about if fourth-year pro Daniel Jones can be the long-term quarterback for the New York Giants were not definitively answered via Monday's prime-time 23-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but few could argue Jones was essentially hung out to dry throughout the evening. 

ESPN stats show that Jones endured five sacks and 12 quarterback hits during the contest, and the 25-year-old was pressured more than any other signal-caller in a single game this season. While speaking with reporters, Giants center Jon Feliciano made it clear the team's offensive line was more to blame for any shortcomings than Jones. 

"I think we got to come back and watch the film," Feliciano explained, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "I think every game has been different. We just got to come out and get in a better rhythm and have 8’s back, like I said. I don’t think particularly we played very well up front and other places that are not my job. And they know. Everyone knows we got to help 8, especially when he’s out there doing what he’s doing: just never giving up on the play, taking big hits, making plays with his legs. I mean, he did everything he could out there. And this loss is on us up front, not on 8." 

Avoidable mistakes such as drops and penalties aside, a different set of numbers show that pass-catchers such as Kenny Golladay, David Sills, and Sterling Shepard didn't do enough to make life easier for Jones against an imposing Dallas defense. 

"According to NFL’s NextGen Stats, tight end Daniel Bellinger (four catches for 40 yards) was the only player to create above-average separation (5.62 yards versus 2.91 league average) on targeted Jones passes. Golladay (1.74), Shepard (2.15), Richie James (2.49), and Sills (2.51) all fell behind, according to NFL’s NextGen Stats," wrote Connor Hughes of SNY. 

To make matters worse, Shepard went down with what appeared to be a season-threatening injury late in the loss. Meanwhile, Jones ended the night with 20 completions on 37 pass attempts for 196 yards and an interception. He also added 79 rushing yards on nine carries. 

The 2-1 Giants will have a short week ahead of this coming Sunday's home game against the 2-1 Chicago Bears. Thus far, the Bears have totaled six sacks over their first three matchups.