The New York Giants kicked off the Joe Judge era with a 26-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.
There was a lot to absorb from the game, including Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram’s rough night, Daniel Jones’ turnover issues and the Washington team somehow standing alone in first place in the NFC East.
But not all is negative. In fact, there are some reasons for optimism in East Rutherford.
Here’s how Twitter reacted.
NYG OC Jason Garrett likes to be physical with run game. But OL not capable. Noteworthy his first game as OC: Saquon Barkley had 15 rushes for just 6 yard, tied for the second-fewest yards by any player with 15+ rushes in a game since the 1970 merger.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 15, 2020
I guess Daniel Jones "played bad" against the NFL's best defense to most on here. I don't buy it.
Two awful mistakes but some REALLY good balls (not just the TDs), w/ a RB that went 16 for 5 yards, a RT and C destroyed on every snap and still threw for nearly 300 yards. #Giants— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) September 15, 2020
So the Giants and Jets both lose by 10 points on opening weekend. But I feel MUCH better about what I saw from the Giants. They were one awful Daniel Jones red-zone INT away from possibly taking the lead into the fourth quarter. The Jets never, ever felt close.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) September 15, 2020
One of the biggest offensive positives out of this game for the #Giants: WR Darius Slayton’s rookie season doesn’t look like a fluke. He’s quite good.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 15, 2020
Very positive spin: the Giants in a new system, threw the ball very well against one of the best passing defenses and pass rush in the NFL. It’s a passing league, you hope the rest will fall into place.
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) September 15, 2020
Understand disappointment in the loss, but Giants were competitive against a nasty defense and experienced offense. Enough encouraging signs, wouldn't overreact. Obviously plenty to clean up, however.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) September 15, 2020
Just like we all predicted, the Washington Football Team is alone in first place of the NFC East after week 1.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 15, 2020
how the Giants felt trying to stop the Big Ben ➡️ Juju combo tonight pic.twitter.com/yc8km2gSXx
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 15, 2020
It’s a marathon not a sprint. Saw a few good things but too many mistakes when you are outclassed like they were. OL and DL didn’t get it done. A 19 play drive ending in a pick sums it up. On to Chicago #TogetherBlue
— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) September 15, 2020
Steelers 26 Giants 16
•The RZ INT will define what could’ve been a great night
•Fleming is an issue while Andrew Thomas was amazing
•You can only hide Ballentine so long
•Front 7 looked really good
•Losses suck but don’t think it should be doom & gloom but it’s twitter so— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 15, 2020
Daniel Jones lead the team in rushing with 22 yards. On 15 carries Saquon had 6 yards… pic.twitter.com/M20h1A8zmJ
— Brian Brikowski (@BrikHouseSki) September 15, 2020
The Evan Engram we wanted vs the Evan Engram we got pic.twitter.com/5YTrUDcuTB
— NHL Insider Ethan – still not at my summer cottage (@EthanGSN) September 15, 2020
a New York Giants interception
somewhere, Eli Manning just made a face pic.twitter.com/xiHvgEZM68
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 15, 2020