As quickly as they rose a few spots in NFL power rankings after defeating the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, the New York Giants went backwards after losing to the previously winless New Orleans Saints in Week 5.
Here is how the Giants are ranked entering Week 6.
ESPN.com | No. 30 (Down from No. 27)
The Giants don’t really have a fantasy standout without star receiver Malik Nabers (torn ACL) in the lineup. But with rookie Jaxson Dart at quarterback, Johnson has become more of a factor. He had three touchdowns in Dart’s first two starts and had a career-high seven targets in Week 5. Johnson is not a fantasy starter, but he’s a sneaky potential riser with Dart’s ability to see the middle of the field and fit the ball into tight windows.
NFL.com | No. 28 (Down from No. 26)
The Jaxson Dart fan club likely added a few members on Sunday after he hit Theo Johnson for a pair of TD passes, with the Giants leading 14-3 in his first road start. He was also buying time and picking up yards with his legs. Things were looking good. But the Giants’ secondary fell apart, and the offense did the same, turning it over on five straight possessions — six if you count the fourth-down stop in the final minute. Four of the turnovers came in New Orleans territory, including Cam Skattebo’s giveaway that was run back for a game-sealing score. Dart was guilty of three turnovers, all in the second half. Malik Nabers isn’t out there, and the Giants know they must endure some growing pains from Dart, but it doesn’t make the loss easier to swallow. With their next 10 games coming against teams currently at .500 or better, it’s not obvious where the Giants’ next win will come.
Sports Illustrated | No. 29
For the umpteenth time, the Giants’ season is fast circling the drain before Halloween. But if there has been a bright spot in the first quarter, it’s been the play of outside linebacker Brian Burns. Burns has thrived with five sacks ( tied for third in the league), 20 pressures (according to PFF), one forced fumble and 20 tackles (14 solos) in 215 defensive snaps over that four-game span.
CBS Sports (Prisco) | No. 28 (Down from No. 27)
Beating the Chargers one week and then losing to the Saints the next is not a good look. They turned it over way too many times.
The Athletic | No. 27 (Down from No. 23)
The fun that rookie QB Jaxson Dart brought in an upset win in Week 4 quickly dissipated with his three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) on Sunday, and the running game was stuck in the mud. It’s hard to blame the defense after the offense turned the ball over five times, but that unit, the supposed strength of the team, allowed the Saints to convert seven of 15 third-down attempts.
Pro Football Focus | No. 28 (Down from No. 26)
After a strong NFL debut, Jaxson Dart and the Giants were sent crashing back down to Earth in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints. Dart recorded four turnover-worthy plays in the 26-14 loss to the Saints, but still showed flashes as to why the Giants drafted him in the first round. It’s early days, but there’s reason to hope that Dart can be the guy for New York. Surprisingly, though, the Giants are 28th in EPA per play allowed on defense. There’s enough talent on that side of the ball for the team to be better than that.
USA Today | No. 28 (Down from No. 26)
After not giving the ball away once in QB Jaxson Dart’s starting debut, they turned it over five times in his road debut … which was literally infinitely worse.
Bleacher Report | No. 25 (Down from No. 26)
The New York Giants will ride the highs and lows with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Last week, he helped lead them to their first win of the season, but he turned the ball over three times in a follow-up performance against the New Orleans Saints.
Dart will make more mistakes as he develops in New York. If he can minimize errors, the Giants could achieve more wins and move up the rankings.
FOX Sports | No. 31 (Down from No. 25)
So much for all the excitement of the Jaxson Dart Era. This might have been the one game this season the Giants couldn’t afford to lose. And they blew it in a five-turnover mess. It’ll be hard for any of them to recover from that.
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