Posted on: October 9, 2023, 10:36h. 

Last updated on: October 9, 2023, 10:36h.

The New York Giants’ offense took a major hit as quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a neck injury in their Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins. With Jones sacked six times in the game, the Giants were unable to find much success, losing 31-16. The loss marks the Giants’ third consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 1-4 for the season.

Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was responsible for the hit that led to Jones’ injury, sacking him in the fourth quarter. This marked the 16th sack that Jones experienced in just the last two games, further highlighting the issues with the Giants’ offensive line.

The Giants have listed Jones as questionable on their injury list for their upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. If Jones is unable to play, backup Tyrod Taylor will take over as the starting quarterback. Taylor has previous starting experience with the Bills, having started 42 games between 2015 and 2017.

Rag Doll Jones: O-Line Woes Leads to Injury

The Giants have been plagued by an inconsistent and weak offensive line over the past decade, and this season is no exception. Injuries to starters have only compounded the problem, as seen with the loss of left tackle Andrew Thomas early in the season due to a hamstring injury. The Giants have had to use four different starting lineups for their offensive line this season, showcasing their lack of depth and experience in that area.

This porous offensive line has been a major factor in the Giants’ struggles, allowing Jones to be sacked 28 times so far this season. In particular, the Seattle Seahawks sacked Jones ten times in a Week 4 victory, and the Dolphins added six more sacks before Jones left the game with his injury. Giants head coach Brian Daboll acknowledged the need for better protection, stating, “We’ve got to figure out a way to protect him better.”

Jones’ performance has suffered as a result of the offensive line issues. He has completed 68.9% of his passes for 884 yards and only two touchdowns this season. His six interceptions already exceed last season’s total of five picks in 16 games. With a QBR rating of 39.6, Jones currently ranks 28th on ESPN’s list.

Futures Market Reactions to G-Men Free Fall

The Giants currently occupy last place in the NFC East with a 1-4 record. Their struggles have also translated to the betting world, as they hold a 0-5 record against the point spread, making them the worst betting team in the NFL this season. Bettors who have faded the Giants have been able to profit from their consistent underperformance.

Looking ahead to their Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the Giants opened as 14.5-point road underdogs. However, with early money backing the Bills, the line has since moved to -15 in favor of Buffalo.

The Giants are hoping for the return of running back Saquon Barkley, who has missed three games with a high ankle sprain. Barkley’s presence would provide a much-needed boost to the struggling offense.

The Giants entered the season with a win total of 7.5 over/under, but with their poor start, oddsmakers have adjusted their expectations. The Giants’ current win total is set at 5.5 o/u. Additionally, their odds of making the playoffs have drastically decreased to +1500, with a -6000 odds of missing the postseason. In the preseason, the Giants were given +160 odds to qualify for the playoffs and -190 odds to miss them.

Their chances of winning the NFC East are also slim, with odds set at +5000. Only the Arizona Cardinals (+25000) and Carolina Panthers (+2500) have longer odds than the Giants (+1800) to win the NFC Championship. As for the Super Bowl, the Giants currently have +20000 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII, a significant drop from their preseason odds of +6500.