If the opener against the Vikings was an indication, the Giants could be in for a long season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the New York Giants’ performance in their season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings is a foreshadowing of things to come, this could be another long season for coach Brian Daboll and the rest of the team.

The Giants played poorly in a 28-6 loss to the Vikings in kicking off their 100th season.

Their fans let them know they were not happy. They booed at halftime down 14-3. They booed in the third quarter after Daniel Jones threw a 10-yard pick-6 to linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. A few even ripped the 27-year-old quarterback who is making $40 million annually as he walked to his car after the game.

The only cheering at the end of the game was from Vikings fans who far outnumbered those Giants fans who stuck around until the end.

This all happened in a season which began with Giants co-owner John Mara saying he expected significant improvement this season after a 6-11 record in 2023.

Daboll, who led New York to the playoffs in his first season in 2022, said he talked to Mara. He said that conversation will remain private.

“We didn’t play. We didn’t coach well. I said that after the game,” Daboll said Monday. “We gotta do a better job.”

What’s working

Not much. Coming off knee surgery, veteran placekicker Graham Gano hit from 23 and 50 yards on his only two attempts. First-round draft pick Malik Nabers lived up to expectations, catching five passes for a team-high 66 yards.

What needs help

The revamped offensive line allowed five sacks. Running back Devin Singletary, who was signed to replace Saquon Barkley, was limited to 37 yards on 10 carries. The offense did not score a touchdown. Bookend edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns combined for four tackles.

“We lost. That’s the only way to put it,” Lawrence said. “No panic, though. Week 1, we’ve got a lot to learn. Yeah, it’s just we just lost.”

Stock up

The Giants rookies. Besides Nabers, second-round pick Tyler Nubin started at safety and had a team-high seven tackles, while sixth-round pick Darius Muasau started at inside linebacker and had six tackles and an interception on a pass deflected by tackle Dexter Lawrence, who had the only sack for New York. Cornerback Dru Phillips, the third-round pick, had four tackles and forced a fumble that set up the Giants’ first field goal.

Stock down

Daniel Jones bottomed out in his first regular-season game since having ACL surgery in November. He was 22 of 42 for 186 yards and two interceptions, including the pick-6. His quarterback rating was 44.3. He also carried six times for 15 yards. The offense was limited to 240 yards.

Despite the poor performance, Daboll said Jones remains his starter and he has no intention of either looking for another quarterback in the free-agent market or giving more practice time to backups Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito.

Injuries

Linebacker Carter Coughlin, who was promoted from the practice squad for the game, had a pectoral injury that is going to sideline him for months, Daboll said. Returner Gunner Olszewski is going to be out a few weeks after aggravating a groin injury in the pregame warmups. Workout for returners were held Monday. Starting CB Nick McCloud is day to day after tweaking a knee and WR Darius Slayton is in the concussion protocol.

Key numbers

99 yards — Minnesota had a 11-play, 99-yard drive in the second quarter that ended with a 3-yard TD pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson. It was the first 99-yard possession by a Giants opponent since Oct. 28, 2002. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb capped it with a 40-yard run.

Next steps

The Giants get away from their unhappy fans and face another NFC East team on Sunday which struggled last season and played poorly in its opener — the Washington Commanders. They lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-20.

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