The Giants will likely be without Saquon Barkley for the next three weeks, but can the offense weather the storm without him?
Shaun Morash suggested on Monday that, while it may not be pretty, they can do more than tread water without their star running back, thanks to Daniel Jones and the success that he’s shown when Barkley has been sidelined.
Evan respectfully disagreed, and came with stats to back up his argument.
“This offense, without Saquon Barkley, is not nearly as dangerous…he’s their most dynamic offensive player,” Evan said.
“When Saquon is not on the field, when he hasn’t played in a game, Daniel Jones threw 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. When Saquon plays, 12 of Daniel Jones’ 13 rushing touchdowns came when Saquon was at least a threat. He only has one without him.”
Morash also came with his own ammo to open Tuesday’s show, arguing that Jones can thrive without Barkley, and while losing a 1,000-yard rusher is obviously not ideal, it doesn’t mean Big Blue’s scoring attack has to suffer.
“The Giants beat the Packers last year with Daniel Jones putting them on his back, when Saquon left the game, and he’s carrying Marcus Johnson and David Sills,” Shaun said of Jones. “In 2020, when the Giants were dog food in a bad division, and the Giants lost Saquon, they remained relevant and won games - not a lot, six games - behind Wayne Gallman, who rushed for 680 yards in Saquon’s absence. The point being, is Saquon an add-on to this Giants team? No question about it. But we now have evidence that the Giants offense, when Saquon Barkley isn’t a part of it, has functioned behind Daniel Jones.”
