Current:Home > MyCostly drop mars Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers' otherwise sterling day -Core Financial Strategies
Costly drop mars Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers' otherwise sterling day
View
Date:2025-04-13 14:49:16
LANDOVER, Md. – The first milestone day of Malik Nabers’ career ended in self-described disappointment.
The rookie wide receiver slammed his hands into the sideline with 2:04 left remaining, as he could not haul in a fourth-down pass from Daniel Jones with the game tied at 18. Had the No. 6 overall pick in the draft secured the ball, the Giants would have remained in control of the clock against the Washington Commanders. Instead, the home team drove the ball down the field for a walk-off field goal, and New York opened a season 0-2 for the ninth time since 2013.
What came beforehand for Nabers – his first 100-yard career game and first career touchdown catch – became an afterthought.
“I’m disappointed,” Nabers said. “No matter how good of a game you could play, that last play came down to me. I’m hurt that I let those veterans down. They know what kind of player I am.”
The rest of the league is quickly finding out, too. Nabers caught 10 passes, including the score, for 127 yards.
All things Giants: Latest New York Giants news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
To say Nabers qualified as the centerpiece of the Giants’ passing attack may actually be an understatement. Of quarterback Daniel Jones’ 28 pass attempts, 18 went in Nabers’ direction. He now has 25 targets (of the team's 65 overall) through two games.
The Commanders were nonetheless content to leave him in one-on-one matchups, and Nabers took advantage. Twice he and Jones connected on shallow crosses for first-down gains, and twice he beat the defender covering him while running a slant route, catching the pass and spinning the opposite way toward the sideline. He had 73 yards by halftime.
“I thought he played well … it was a bunch of one-on-one coverage,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Nabers swapped jerseys after the game. Daniels said he told Nabers to “keep your head up.” Nabers initially forgot about the pre-planned exchange with his former LSU teammate because he was upset with himself and the loss. Daboll offered the same advice.
“I know that I can’t get that play back,” Nabers said, “just got to move on.”
The throw from Jones on that crucial play wasn’t perfect, and the timing was slightly off as Jones pump-faked to create a bigger passing window.
“They’re high on me. They’re passing me the ball,” Nabers said. “They know I can make plays, I’m sure. Out of a thousand times, they’re going to continue to call that play and go at me on fourth down again. So, obviously I want to make that play.”
Of course, the Giants offense even being on the field for the fourth-down play was the result of both poor planning and bad luck; kicker Graham Gano, who entered with a groin injury that had him grimacing during warmups, left following the opening kickoff with a hamstring injury. New York opted not to elevate another kicker to the active roster, and punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point in the first quarter.
But if Nabers made his 11th catch of the game for another first down, then the Giants could at least confront their internal processes at 1-1 rather than still find themselves in search for a win.
“I know what kind of confidence they got in me,” Nabers said. “Just letting those guys down, I don’t ever want to let my team down. That’s the main motto in my head, is ‘Don’t let the team down.’ And I let my team down.”
veryGood! (23332)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Household debt, Home Depot sales and Montana's TikTok ban
- A Tennessee company is refusing a U.S. request to recall 67 million air bag inflators
- Federal inquiry details abuses of power by Trump's CEO over Voice of America
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Slim majority wants debt ceiling raised without spending cuts, poll finds
- It’s Happened Before: Paleoclimate Study Shows Warming Oceans Could Lead to a Spike in Seabed Methane Emissions
- Group agrees to buy Washington Commanders from Snyder family for record $6 billion
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Rosie O'Donnell Shares Update on Madonna After Hospitalization
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Save 53% On This Keurig Machine That Makes Hot and Iced Coffee With Ease
- Rosie O'Donnell Shares Update on Madonna After Hospitalization
- Daniel Radcliffe Shares Rare Insight Into His Magical New Chapter as a Dad
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- A New, Massive Plastics Plant in Southwest Pennsylvania Barely Registers Among Voters
- Rosie O'Donnell Shares Update on Madonna After Hospitalization
- Four States Just Got a ‘Trifecta’ of Democratic Control, Paving the Way for Climate and Clean Energy Legislation
Recommendation
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
Progress in Baby Steps: Westside Atlanta Lead Cleanup Slowly Earns Trust With Help From Local Institutions
The Nation’s Youngest Voters Put Their Stamp on the Midterms, with Climate Change Top of Mind
Green energy gridlock
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $400 Satchel Bag for Just $89
Families scramble to find growth hormone drug as shortage drags on
Kathy Hilton Shares Cryptic Message Amid Sister Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky Divorce Rumors