One unit's poor play threatens to doom Giants

The New York Giants porous offensive line frequently forced QB Daniel Jones into panic mode during the team's 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Despite adding six new linemen in free agency, including three starters, New York's front five looked abysmal.

The Vikings manhandled the Giants in the trenches, recording five sacks and forcing Jones to make horrid and rushed reads. The line couldn't provide substantial help in the run game either, paving the way for just 74 team rushing yards, the fifth-lowest total in Week 1 heading into Monday night's game between the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.

Jones threw for a measly 4.5 air yards per attempt, the second-lowest mark so far in Week 1, and failed to attempt a pass of over 20 air yards.

Disastrous play calling was a major factor in the lackluster performance, but persistent pressure from the Vikings forced Jones to panic early.

Following a first-quarter fumble recovery by LB Bobby Okereke that set the Giants up at Minnesota's 20-yard line, Jones was in prime position to give his team an early lead. On the second play of the drive, Jones narrowly avoided the grasp of DE Jonathan Greenard, only to be met with a massive blow from LB Ivan Pace Jr after releasing the ball.

On his following two dropbacks that drive, Jones was forced to scramble out of a closing pocket. The Giants subsequently settled for a field goal following an Andrew Van Ginkel sack on third down.

Poor offensive line play isn't a new predicament for the Giants, who allowed a league-high 85 sacks in 2023, 20 more than the next-closest team. New York attempted to address the issue in recent drafts, selecting OT's Andrew Thomas (2020) and Evan Neal (2022) in the top 10, but have selected only one offensive lineman in any round since 2022.

Thomas, a second-team All-Pro tackle in 2022 and expected star of this fresh unit, was the culprit for two sacks Sunday. On the first, Thomas didn't make eye contact with an unblocked Pat Jones II, who whiffed on his attempt at a sack before getting back up and dropping Jones.

After the loss, Giants head coach Brian Daboll defended the offensive line during his first game calling offensive plays for the team.

"I thought the line communicated well," the third-year New York HC told reporters. "There might have been one or two (bad reps), but sacks are a team stat."

The team is on pace to match its 85 sacks allowed last season, which would mark only the third season of 80 or more sacks allowed in NFL history.

On Sunday, the Giants face the Washington Commanders, who managed only one sack in a Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay. After the Commanders, the Giants will play at the Cleveland Browns, who feature 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and then host the Dallas Cowboys, who sacked Cleveland's Deshaun Watson six times during their Week 1 win.

If the offensive line doesn't improve quickly, the Giants could soon be staring at 0-4.