Giants’ Daniel Jones’ latest interception comes at worst possible moment dashing comeback bid vs. Rams | studs and duds

The Giants need someone step up on offense to help quarterback Daniel Jones, but even that won’t matter if Jones can’t learn ball security.

With 1:19 remaining Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, and Jones attempting to lead the Giants to a game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion, Jones tried to pass to wide receiver Damion Ratley near the 5-yard line, but Rams defensive back Darius Williams jumped the route and intercepted the pass, sealing the Rams’ 17-9 victory.

For the second game in a row, Jones telegraphed his throw and paid the price for what is essentially a rookie mistake. Sunday’s was Jones’ fifth interception of the season and 17th of his career. Jones has played in 16 games.

Jones’ turnovers are becoming a fatal flaw: He has 30 in his career. Sunday’s interception on his final throw wasted a stellar performance from the defense and dashed any hope of a signature comeback win in the most competitive contest of head coach Joe Judge’s first season.

The Giants’ offense clearly has issues, with Jones again leading the team in rushing with 45 yards, and no receiver accounting for more than 50 receiving yards. But, production and ineptitude in the red zone where the Giants were 0-for-4 one week after not taking a snap inside the 20-yard line, are second to Jones’ inability to protect the ball.

Here’s a look at the Giants’ studs and duds from Sunday’s loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium:

STUDS

K Graham Gano

Gano has been the Giants’ most consistent weapon, and the only player to score in the last two games. Sunday, Gano drilled field goals of 35, 32, and 37 yards.

RB Wayne Gallman

A free-agent pickup, Devonta Freeman saw his most significant workload since signing with the Giants on Sept. 23, but Gallman became the only Giants offensive player not named Daniel Jones to produce an explosive run this season. On a fourth-quarter drive, Gallman broke loose for a 26-yard run and finished the game with 45 yards while averaging 7.5 yards per carry. That’s all it takes to be an offensive stud on this team.

DL Austin Johnson

Johnson had been buried on the Giants’ defensive line rotation through the first three weeks, but made a pair of high-impact plays against the Rams. With 2:45 remaining in the first quarter, Johnson forced a fumble the Giants recovered and ultimately converted into a 35-yard field goal. Later, Johnson sacked Rams quarterback Jared Goff.

LB Kyler Fackrell

Fackrell was easily the Giants’ most disruptive pass rusher against the Rams. In the first half, Fackrell sacked Goff and later picked up a quarterback hit. Even though he was briefly knocked from the game with a neck injury, he finished with four tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss.

DUDS

WR Golden Tate

On a critical third down, Tate seemed to go down short of the sticks without taking contact, then, with just under two minutes remaining, Tate had a drop over the middle of the field. The veteran of the Giants’ wide receiving corps played like anything but on Sunday, catching just four passes on six targets for 20 yards.

LB Tae Crowder

Crowder, forced into the lineup by Devante Downs’ ineffectiveness the last two weeks, was burned over the middle by Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a 55-yard touchdown with 2:50 remaining. Cornerback James Bradberry was slow to react over the top, but Crowder let Cupp loose when he crossed into his zone over the middle on the back-breaking play.

RT Cam Fleming

Fleming allowed at least two sacks and several pressures. At one point late in the first half, it appeared Fleming was pulled in favor of rookie tackle Matt Peart. Late in the game, as the Giants began to find their footing in the running game, Fleming seemed to settle down and even got better as the game went along in pass protection.

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