2018 Giants Look Like 2017 Version in Opener

JAGUARS 20 - GIANTS 15 

Same Ole Giants. Who knew a reference typically reserved for their co-tenants the Jets would so aptly describe the play of the New York Giants in their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars?

The mistakes and incompetent play that defined the Giants 2017 season once again betrayed New York in the season opener of 2018 against Jacksonville. This is not to take any credit away from the Jaguars; they are a great team, and played well especially defensively. But, the fact remains had the Giants not found new ways to trip themselves, the results could have been different.

It didn't take long for the clouds of misery to hover over the Giants. Trailing 3-0, the Giants couldn't get out of the shadow of their own end zone after last season's ultimate culprit tackle Ereck Flowers was called for two killer penalties that erased big completions by Eli Manning. The Giants were beyond lucky to avoid a safety on third down when Saquon Barkley was tackled just outside the goal-line to complete a dismal three and out.

That series proved to be a microcosm of the entire game.

Up until Barkely exploded for a 68-yard touchdown run with 10:39 to go in the game, the Giants offense had done absolutely nothing. In nine possessions, the Giants punted the football five times, kicked three field goals, and watched Eli Manning throw a dart to Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack that turned into a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown. At 20-9 the game felt over.

Any hope that Giants fans had after the Barkley score cut the deficit to 20-15 proved to be fools gold. The Giants last real hope came late in the fourth quarter with New York driving into Jacksonville territory, but the Giants found a way to fritter it away. 1st and 10 at the Jags 40? Incomplete pass. 2nd and 10? Run it to Jonathan Stewart and let the clock run down to two minutes? What the hell was Pat Shurmur thinking? How about 3rd and 6? Eli Manning drops back, incomplete pass. 4th and 6? Rinse and Repeat.

The game should have been over there were it not for the Giants defense doing a nice job to force Jacksonville into a three and out. With 54 seconds the Giants would get the ball back needing a miracle. That miracle never game. On the ensuing punt, Kaelin Clay muffed the return handing the ball back to Jacksonville, sealing New York's fate.

What a disaster. What a mess. As the Who once sang in "Won't Get Fooled Again" "It's the new Boss, Same As the Old Boss." The 2018 Giants already look like the 2017 Giants.