Giants Jump into First in NFC East, Daniel Jones Injured

 GIANTS 19 - BENGALS 17 

It wasn't easy, but the Giants find themselves in first place in the NFC East, but it might have come at a huge cost. 

 

With the score tied at 10 in the third quarter, quarterback Daniel Jones injured his hamstring on a seven-yard scamper. He favored his leg as he got up, but remained in the game for only two plays before falling to the ground, holding onto his right hamstring. Jones was promptly replaced by Colt McCoy as Jones went under the tent for a look at the injury. 

Jones tried to return to action on the Giants next possession, but left after he couldn't put weight behind his plant leg on a pass, and limped off the field. He did not return. 

Asked after the Giants 19-17 win over Cincinnati about the extent of the injury, head coach Joe Judge wouldn't say what the extent was, adding that he was "Optimistic," while also admitting it was tough to say if the injury was long term. 

However, according to ESPN, they claim sources informed them that Jones injury is "pretty bad." 

If Jones does not play next when they head to Seattle, it will be up to Colt McCoy. McCoy did a fairly good job under center for the Giants on Sunday. He was 6-of-10 for 31 yards and led the Giants to three field goals as they extended their lead to 19-10, before the Bengals late touchdown brought the score to within two.

Even with the bad news on Jones, the good news for Big Blue is they are in first place, and they are in control of their own destiny. 

Defensively, the Giants were fantastic against the Bengals. They held Cincinnati to 40 yards rushing, and had third string quarterback Brandon Allen guessing all day. Leonard Williams and Logan Ryan recovered a couple of fumbles, and Niko Lalos had a huge interception of Allen with the Giants up 13-10. 

Meanwhile, Wayne Gallman had a huge day on the ground for the Giants, rushing for 94-yards on 24 carries with a touchdown. His efforts paved the way for Big Blue and made things easier for McCoy in the second half. 

That said, the Giants are going a step up in class now with a trip to Seattle next week. Of the Giants final five remaining games, all of them are against teams who think they have a shot at the playoffs, including the 3-8 Cowboys who aren't exactly out of it yet in the NFC East. The other games are against Arizona (6-5), Cleveland (8-3) and Baltimore (6-4). 

Even if Jones is healthy, the Giants are not going to favored in these games, and will almost certainly be up against it next week. Still Jones gives them the best chance to win. McCoy does not. McCoy can't stretch the field the way Jones can with both his arm and legs. 

The Giants will have to hold their collective breaths for one night as they await more information on Jones by Monday.