The Giants picked up an unexpected first win since Week 2 on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium and Tyrod Taylor played a significant role in the 14-7 triumph over the Washington Commanders.
With Daniel Jones out for a second consecutive game with a neck injury, the 34-year-old veteran backup stepped up, completing 18-of-29 passes for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns — the first offensive touchdowns scored by the Giants since the third quarter of their Week 3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
All the while, he was working behind a patchwork offensive line that trotted out its sixth different starting combination in seven games with the likes of Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal on the shelf.
“It felt good. I mean anytime you can win at home always is big, especially just the way our season has been going,” Taylor said. “Not being on the winning side of things, we’ve done some good things throughout the season, but haven’t been able to put a full game together and today I think was a true testament to us playing complementary football.”
Taylor ended the Giants’ month-long touchdown drought early in the second quarter when he hit tight end, Darren Waller, in the end zone for a 15-yard score. Right before halftime, he threw another one as Saquon Barkley took a screen pass and rumbled from 32 yards out.
Two touchdowns for the Giants was quite the hit; what was Taylor doing differently for Big Blue?
“Just putting the work in,” Taylor said. “I think trusting in yourself, trusting your teammates and just week in and week out, whether it’s preparing mentally or physically for the opportunity when it presents itself, just taking advantage of it. It’s been fun, just to be out there with the guys.”
The results speak for themselves after nearly pulling off an upset a week ago against the Buffalo Bills. Taylor led the Giants offense to 356 total yards — their highest total in a game since Week 2 against the Cardinals.
With Jones under center in five starts, the Giants averaged 255.8 yards per game. In Taylor’s two starts, the team averaged 336.5 yards per game. The Giants’ offensive line has also been better, only allowing six sacks in Taylor’s two starts.
“Since I got drafted in 2011, I’ve always prepared myself week in and week out as if I were a starter,” Taylor said. “Whether that was the case or not, my attitude has never changed. It’s motivated me along the way, whether I was number two or number one, but just thankful for the opportunity.”
