Malik Nabers Proves It (Should Be) Tim Boyle Time

In the weeks since, Jones has been benched, cut, and ultimately signed by the Minnesota Vikings. DeVito and veteran backup Drew Lock have both started twice and sustained injuries, and New York will likely be without the former in Week 16 as he traverses through the league’s concussion protocol.

That leaves Lock and Boyle as candidates to start, and while Lock’s health will play into the conversation, Boyle’s afternoon should put him in the driver’s seat, at least temporarily.

Boyle was the bridge between DeVito’s devotion to playing within structure and Lock’s reckless tendencies in Week 15. He finished completing 12 of 24 attempts for 123 yards, a touchdown, and interception. He was sacked once.

Boyle led just a single scoring drive, like DeVito, although another got down to the goal line before a fourth-down attempt went awry. But what is helping Boyle push the needle was his willingness to stretch the field. Everybody in MetLife Stadium knew the Giants were trying to get the ball to receiver Malik Nabers on Sunday. Yet, he still finished with 10 receptions, 82 yards, and a touchdown – his first since Week 3.

Boyle’s game is played in structure and he lacks the physical tools to make plays outside of it. He’s not making explosive plays on the ground like Lock had, nor does he have as much arm strength. But both Jones and DeVito had turned down deeper routes for unnecessary checkdowns, and Boyle has proven capable of taking those shots.

When that means getting Nabers more valuable looks, those attempts are risks worth taking.

The high-variance nature of Lock’s game may be New York’s easiest path to victory. Boyle, though, may be able to operate the offense better than DeVito while limiting the crippling mistakes that marked both of Lock’s outings.

Head coach Brian Daboll chose DeVito over Lock when Jones was benched because of his risk-averse nature and ability to, essentially, do what he’s told. If that mindset means more to him than Lock’s upside, Boyle must be under center against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.