When New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones faked a handoff to Saquon Barkley within the first quarter Sunday at MetLife Stadium after which spun to his left, a transparent 21-yard lane to the tip zone lay earlier than Jones.
With Chicago Bears defenders Trevis Gipson, Jaquan Brisker and Dominique Robinson in chase mode, Jones picked up pace. Cornerback Kyler Gordon was unable to shake tight finish Tanner Hudson’s block close to the aim line, and Jones squeaked into the nook of the tip zone behind Hudson for his first of two landing runs within the first half.
The Giants by no means trailed once more in their 20-12 victory, and Jones contributed 68 dashing yards to his staff’s 262 for the day, a season excessive by a Bears opponent.
“He’s athlete,” linebacker Nicholas Morrow mentioned of Jones. “He’s acquired some lengthy legs, so he’s acquired stride and might get on the market just a little bit. However there are some guidelines we’ve acquired to comply with to ensure we are able to include a few of these runs.”
Jones’ second landing got here in related style — a pretend to Barkley, a dash to the left nook of the tip zone, an 8-yard landing.
Coach Matt Eberflus mentioned the Bears made changes to cease related bootleg performs within the second half, however they wanted to come back faster. The harm of two touchdowns was accomplished, and paired with a Bears offense that didn't get in the long run zone, it was an excessive amount of to beat.
“It’s simply eyes — you’ve acquired to maintain your eyes in the suitable spot,” security Eddie Jackson mentioned of defending Jones on play motion. “They have been doing job setting it up, working with Saquon. Working, working, then slip the boot right here and there. We simply should do a greater job with our eyes and on the perimeters.”
The menace Barkley posed helped the Giants pull off the performs. After accidents restricted him the final couple of seasons, Barkley continued his bounce-back season with 31 carries for 146 yards and two catches for 16 yards.
His efficiency additionally continued a regarding development, because the Bears have allowed greater than 175 dashing yards in three of their 4 video games this season.
“He got here out and performed an amazing sport, however there have been loads of errors on our behalf,” linebacker Roquan Smith mentioned. “He’s a heck of a participant, however that’s no excuse. We’ve simply acquired to all get higher and look ourselves within the mirror, together with myself.”
With Jones hobbled by a left ankle damage halfway by means of the second half and backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor leaving the sport to be evaluated for a concussion., the Bears held the Giants to 2 second-half area objectives from kicker Graham Gano.
Jackson got here up with a giant interception early within the fourth quarter — his third in 4 video games — however the Bears offense didn't capitalize on the takeaway that gave them the ball at their 4-yard line.
And thru 4 video games, the Bears protection hasn’t allowed a landing after halftime, giving up simply 18 second-half factors.
However the working thread within the Bears locker room from defenders was that errors right here and there stored the unit from placing collectively the game-altering efficiency the staff wanted — particularly because the offense struggled and particular groups made pricey errors, such because the muffed punt by returner Velus Jones Jr. within the fourth quarter.
Morrow lamented a missed sort out on a brief go from Jones to Barkley on the Giants’ second landing drive. On third-and-9, Morrow was proper on Barkley when he caught the ball, however Barkley spun out of his grasp for a 15-yard achieve.
Gordon was known as for a 40-yard go interference penalty on the Giants’ first field-goal drive of the second half. And Smith wasn’t happy that Taylor twirled out of his grasp on third-and-4 on the Giants’ remaining field-goal drive.
“Self-inflicted wounds. That’s the largest factor. That’s what hurts essentially the most,” Jackson mentioned. “Participant for participant, we felt like we had ups on them. We simply should do the little issues proper. We will’t maintain taking pictures ourselves within the foot, myself included, and each side of the ball I’m certain, even on particular groups.”
Eberflus mentioned a spotlight this week for the entire staff because the Bears put together for the 3-1 Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Financial institution Stadium will likely be placing collectively a full sport after Sunday’s first-half miscues.
“We simply should be constant throughout,” Eberflus mentioned. “That’s going to be one thing we’re going to evangelise this week and do a greater job of. Apparently we’re performing some good issues on this second half, however we now have to play 60 minutes on this league.”
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