The New York Giants won’t even be dreaming of reaching the playoffs, despite a 3-1 start, but a dream is all the postseason will be if the team fails to heed a warning about stand-in quarterback Jameis Winston.
He’s 2-0 as a starter since the Giants lost young star Jaxson Dart to what turned out to be season-ending knee surgery. Yet, the Giants’ winning run isn’t “sustainable” with Winston at the controls, according to SNY.tv’s Connor Hughes.
He believes “The Jamies roller coaster is not sustainable. It’s why the Giants didn’t win by 2-3 scores yesterday.” Hughes was referring to Winston throwing three touchdowns and two interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
The Giants won 36-24, but Hughes is convinced the victory was in spite of Winston. As Hughes put it, the Giants “survived him. They didn’t win because of him. I genuinely believe this team’s best hope of a playoff run is with JJ. Still might fall short. Back half of schedule brutal. I don’t see them surviving Jameis week after week.”
Brining trade acquisition J.J. McCarthy into the conversation is timely. The former Minnesota Vikings’ draft bust is already trending upwards on the depth chart.
Winston doesn’t sound concerned, but the veteran can’t ignore how his erratic performances might sway head coach John Harbaugh to make a change.
Jameis Winston Concerns Aren’t Going Away
Hughes isn’t the only one concerned about Winston’s boom-or-bust displays. The well-travelled passer’s arm strength has mysteriously swung from feeble to impressive in recent weeks.
One of Winston’s most impressive throws was this strike to rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields against the Cards.
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The problem is every throw as good as this one is counteracted by Winston’s wayward accuracy or reckless decision-making. Both of those familiar flaws showed up in Week 4.
Veteran wideout Darnell Mooney was involved in two notable examples. When “Winston overthrew him in wide open space on 2nd down. Then Jameis threw him a hospital ball on third down,” per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
Jameis Winston overthrew him in wide open space on 2nd down.
Then Jameis threw him a hospital ball on third down. #Giants
This level of inconsistency is a tough way to travel for any passing offense. Even tougher when Winston’s still guilty of throwing picks in bunches, the way he did when Arizona defensive backs Budda Baker and Denzel Burke got their hands on two passes.
As author Gary Myers pointed out, “there is no way John Harbaugh will allow a veteran QB to keep playing if he’s a turnover machine with the @Giants margin for error so slim.”
Winston remains defiant about his job security and how he wins games, but that “margin for error” will play a bigger role if the Giants remain in playoff contention.
Giants Have Realistic Playoff Hopes
Harbaugh taking a rebuilding team to the postseason in year one is not so fanciful. The Giants have already stacked three wins, despite their injury issues, and they’re in a soft division.
A game against struggling NFC East rivals the Washington Commanders in Week 5 is another chance for the Giants to seize ownership of the division. It’s not a stretch when the Dallas Cowboys are 2-2, while the Philadelphia Eagles and their sputtering offense share the same unconvincing record.
The Giants simply have to stay on track to keep winning games. It will mean playing an efficient brand of football through a ball-control, run-heavy offense. McCarthy’s dual-threat skills better suit this brand of offense, and the playbook is already being adjusted to his game.
A safer offense can allow the Giants to lean on their true strengths, proficient special teams and a burgeoning defense featuring a budding star the rest of the league should fear.
Similar things helped the Giants go from worst to first and make the playoffs the last time they started 3-1, back in 2022.
Giants Receive Playoff Warning About Jameis Winston