Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
Daniel Jones got yet another chance to show the nation what he’s got in the Monday Night battle against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. He had his moments, good and bad.
The Charlotte native had his second straight multi-touchdown game. He nearly completed a game-tying drive with under a minute remaining and gave Giants fans a reason to believe they could take down Brady to add to their storied rivalry.
Down 25-17, Jones led a last-chance effort downfield and finished the 13-play, 70-yard drive with a 19-yard dime to Golden Tate in the back of the end zone. Needing a two-point conversion to try to send the game to overtime, Jones found Dion Lewis on the right side, only for the pass to be broken up on an aggressive play by Buccaneers rookie Antoine Winfield Jr.. A flag was thrown on the play, but swiftly picked up since the ball deflected off Winfield’s arm before he leveled Lewis on what initially looked like a flagrant pass interference.
Jones finished with another two interceptions and nearly gave away a third on two separate occasions on the what-could-have-been drive, making it nine on the season. Despite his clear struggles and blown opportunities, coach Joe Judge again reminded the world that “Daniel Jones is our quarterback, clearly put.”
The Giants have certainly stayed competitive in the last few games, with a combined score margin of minus-six in their last three losses. Jones just needs to play smarter and take advantage of his chances.
Matt Skura, C, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens faltered late in a rivalry matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, but the offensive line shined. The group, led by tackle Ronnie Stanley and fourth-year center Matt Skura, allowed three ball carriers to top 60 yards in a game where the Ravens counted on the run game. The Ravens rely heavily on an option-style run offense which ended up producing a total of 265 ground yards.
Skura was great, but he wasn’t perfect. At the twenty yard line down 21-17 in the early minutes of the fourth quarter, Lamar Jackson scrambled up the middle for a highlight-reel touchdown run full of its fair share of juke moves and shed tackles, only for it to be called back due to a Skura holding penalty. Despite that, the Ravens found the end zone just a few plays later to give themselves a lead that they would go on to blow in a matter of minutes.
Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets
The most consistent player on the Jets is out again with a groin injury. He missed his second straight game Sunday and is not yet in a position to recover for the Week 9 matchup against New England. The team will evaluate Duke’s all-time receptions leader in their extended week before the Monday game.
In four games this season he has collected 29 passes for 383 yards, placing him at fifth in the league for yards per game.
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Micah Hurewitz is a Trinity senior and was previously a sports managing editor of The Chronicle's 118th volume.