This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
That was disappointing. Not only were 22 people on the Buccaneers in the $6M Circa Survivor pool, but I had gotten through with the Browns in my smaller pool and would have won it outright had the Giants pulled it out. Of course, they were not close, and the only touchdown they scored was courtesy of a dropped pass by Mike Evans that resulted in a short field.
- Tom Brady had an easy time of it, picking the defense apart with short throws. The Bucs still miss Antonio Brown, but having Rob Gronkowski (8-6-71-0) back made a difference.
- After disappearing for a month, Ronald Jones (8-33-1-0) split carries with Leonard Fournette (10-35-0, 6-6-39-0.) Jones is the better interior runner when he holds onto the ball, and I'd expect him to be a factor down the stretch.
- Mike Evans (1-10-0, 11-6-73-1) caused the only turnover of the game with a pass off his hands, but otherwise played well, giving the smaller cornerback James Bradberry problems. Chris Godwin (6-6-65-1) was involved early and didn't get much work in the second half.
- Daniel Jones isn't it. I already decided this a few weeks ago, but it was never more apparent than in this game. He's got all the physical talent to be great, he's tough, courageous, but lacks the natural feel to be a great quarterback. Things like throwing the ball into the turf on fourth down rather than up for grabs, throwing late to open receivers, throwing senseless interceptions on early downs and lack of pocket awareness doom him. He'll be a useful backup, but the Giants need to cut bait and start again at the position in 2022.
- Saquon Barkley (6-25-0, 6-6-31-0) was eased in, but also game flow and lack of successful drives limited his output. He looked healthy, and the passing-game work bodes well.
- Kadarius Toney (12-7-40-0) wasn't efficient, but he's maybe the quickest receiver in the league.
- The Monday night announcers were killing me, and keep in mind, I only watched the 40-minute edited version. I would describe the genre as "insulting viewer intelligence peppered with forced chuckling to feign enjoyment."
