JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022
Q. On that second down run, Christian [Kirk] on the other side of the field and that third down, you
were saying some stuff to the officials on the field. Were you asking what was going on?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, initially we thought on our sideline we got the first down. We’re preparing for,
obviously, getting the call in for first down. Then, you know, through all of that I think trying to sort
things out, where the ball was, different things. Then it came up third down. So, we had to switch gears
there. We’ve got to sort it out, obviously. We have to figure it out tomorrow. Go back, watch TV copy,
and all that. That right there, you know, I don’t think cost us the game, but it was definitely a big part of
it.
Q. Were you telling the officials… did you think someone signaled first down on that?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, initially, that’s what you would see. You would see the official signal it. But,
again, naked eye, we thought — I think it was Christian [Kirk] was well past the down marker.
But, look, we’ve got to check it out tomorrow try to sort through all that before we make a decision on
anything.
Q. And there was just so much chaos that you didn’t have time to throw the flag? Is that the best way
to describe it?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, that and, again, we were under the impression it was first down, but it wasn’t.
Again, those are situations, too, where do you want to risk a challenge, a time-out in those situations
where you know it’s going to — at least it’s going to be at worst it’s going to be 3rd-and-1 or 3rd-and a couple of inches. Try to get the first down that way.
Q. Travis [Etienne, Jr.] had a big game, but obviously, the fumble into the end zone. Does he have to
work on some ball security issues there? Talk about the game he had other than that.
DOUG PEDERSON: He played well. Played tough, physical. Obviously, he can’t do that. He knows that. It’s
something we work on each week in practice Thursday. We do a ball security drill, a little circuit with
them. Listen, that’s where we’re at as a team right now is we’re just learning things the hard way, you
know? I think plays like that change the outcome of a lot of different things. We just have to keep
hanging together and keep working. Just like I told the guys after the game, we do that, stick together,
you know, good things are going to happen for them and we’ll get it flipped around.
Q. Are you surprised at the lack of pass rush at this point of the season, and I think it’s the third
straight game, maybe, with just an egregious roughing the passer penalty late that is back-breaking?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, that one too is unacceptable there. We got the turnover. We got the
interception, and we had the roughing the passer. Again, these are plays that are keeping us back. We
just can’t do that. We can’t do that as players. Obviously, as coaches, we have to be smart too in
decisions we make. It goes hand-in-hand. Those are big plays. I know we kept them to a field goal there,
but it definitely changes things.
Q. Doug, you talked week in and week out about this team beating themselves in game times. How do
you eliminate those mistakes with a young team?
DOUG PEDERSON: We just have to keep working. You got to keep showing them. It’s not for lack of
conversation and talking to them about it and stuff like that. I still want them to play hard and
aggressive and all of that. I don’t want to take any of that away from them at all, but you get in the heat
of the battle sometimes, man, you just have to be cooler heads and just understand your role.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about the decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the 20? Was it just because of the success you guys have had on the ground?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, we were having really a lot of success on the ground. And it was a great
situation right there to do that. Credit the Giants, they stopped us.
Q. At 2-5, are you afraid that you guys are falling out of the ability to stay in contention?
DOUG PEDERSON: No, no. I mean, we have to look at everything big picture right now, but you know,
we can’t, obviously, lose too many more, right? That’s just the big picture view. But this team has got —
first of all, we have to learn not to beat ourselves and just worry about us. I think if we do that and focus
internally on what we do, the process that we do, then I think everything else kind of takes care of itself.
Q. Saquon Barkley enters the game, second in the league in rushing. Obviously, you guys made a
concerted effort to kind of bottle him up. He ends up breaking some late. Daniel Jones really had a big
game on the ground. What did you see in film that you were able to kind of prepare for that or not
prepare for that?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, I thought our defense for honestly three and a half quarters just stymied their
run game and kept them at bay and all of that. Of course, they get in their four-minute offense, and
things change a little bit. For those three and a half quarters, I thought our defense did a nice job
stopping the run and handling that. We know Daniel is an athletic guy and some of the zone read stuff
he kept. Obviously, you have to look at the film and see where we dropped that one. Again, credit them.
They did what they needed to do to win the game at the end.
Q. Coach, what was it if you can say… you know, as you mentioned, you haven’t watched the film yet,
but what was it that you think that allowed Saquon to get off at the end and still get over 100 yards
on the day?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, he is a great back. Give him credit, he is a great back. They were in their big
personnel. Just did a nice job there. That’s something we have to take a look at and try to be better next
time out.
Q. One carry for James Robinson, and there was a penalty on the play. Your feeling of him not getting
the ball, and is he 100%? Is he healthy?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, something we have to evaluate him and see where he is at physically health-
wise and all of that. He has been good each week and something that we’ve got to really take a look at and see. We know T.J. [Travis Etienne, Jr.] has done a nice job kind of taking over there, but we need
everybody. We need James, and we’ve got a lot of confidence in James still. It’s not anything about lack
of confidence or anything. We just have to make sure he is 100% before we move forward.
Q. That final drive of the game came up just short on the final play. What did you think about the way
your offense was able to operate and kind of the way they were able to move the ball down the field?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, I thought they did a really nice job getting us down there with an opportunity to
score, tie the game, and then potentially kick the game winner.
Things we work on in practice. Obviously, it was aided by a couple of defensive penalties, which,
obviously, helped us. Guys did a nice job. Trevor [Lawerence] did a nice job getting us down there. It was
just close at the end there with the catch to Christian, or the completion to Christian. Our guys battled
right until the end.
Q. You talk about Trevor needing those opportunities in those big moments. Even though this one is
another one that didn’t come together all the way, is it still good and something that you can take
from that to build on?
DOUG PEDERSON: I think so. I think he is gaining more confidence in what we’re doing and himself.
These are, obviously, situations you would love to pull out a win, but at the same time for him his
development, his growth, you know, as a leader of this team, the offense, I think it’s a step in the right
direction.
Q. Coach, you got almost 900 yards the last two home games, but you only got 23 points in those.
What’s got to change to help that ratio out a little bit better for your offense to get more points on
the board?
DOUG PEDERSON: Score more points.
Q. Just wondering… your aggressive nature, fourth down and one at the 20 in the fourth quarter.
Philosophically is that just you saying there’s 11 and a half minutes and we’ll play defense and stop
them? Was there any thought to kick the field goal and get a touchdown at that point, or is that just
not the way you called it?
DOUG PEDERSON: I think hindsight is 20/20, and we can sit here right now and say, hey, kick the field
goal. When you’re in the game and your offensive line is handling them the way we did, I put it on them
to do that. That had nothing to do with an analytical decision right there. It was more about how we
were running the football at the time and felt really good about where we were.
Q. Back to James Robinson, is this still a lingering thing with the foot or another injury in terms of
making sure he is healthy?
DOUG PEDERSON: I’ll get with Ferg [Jeff Ferguson] here and give you a heads-up tomorrow probably.
JAGUARS QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022
Q. I know all the losses may feel the same to you, but it seemed walking to the locker room that there
was maybe a little bit more frustration this time around maybe because it’s coming on the heels of
other close losses when you think you’re getting over the hump? Did it seem like this was any more
frustrating?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah. I mean, it sucks to lose, as you said, in general. That’s the way this league is.
Most games come down to the very end. That’s how it is. Like we’ve been saying, you have to find ways
to win and just find ways to make those plays that decide the game. Those plays are scattered
throughout the game, but no matter what happened in the prior three quarters and whatever minutes
of that fourth quarter, at the very end—how can we find ways to make those plays to win the game?
We’re just not making enough of those plays right now. We’re that close. That’s what’s frustrating for us,
too, as players. You know, you put so much into it, and coaches too, obviously. You put so much into it.
To come up that short especially this many times, early in the season, is frustrating. Everybody feels
that. Guys are sticking together. We have a lot of belief in that locker room, and you saw it today. We
came up a yard short at the very end to [potentially] win that game by a point. [If we were to] kick the
extra point, we beat them. So that’s how close it is. That’s why I think you see the look on the guys’ faces
and just the energy. That’s the way it should be when you are losing like that. No one is, obviously,
happy about it.
Q. I’m assuming on the last play, you couldn’t wait for WR Christian Kirk to get to the end zone. You
had to get the ball to him when he was open and just hope he could somehow twist and get his body
in the end zone.
TREVOR LAWRENCE: We have a lot of different thoughts, ideas and plays for different situations, and
that was one of them. That’s one, obviously, you take a little bit of a risk because it’s in the field of play.
So if you don’t get in, like what happened there, the game is over. But, we felt good about our chances
of getting in. Credit to them. Literally, if they give up one more yard, we win. So, they made the play and
you’ve got to tip your hat to them for doing that.
Q. One last thing on the quarterback sneak. Have you ever done a quarterback sneak where you
literally got pushed back, like, almost immediately?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: I’m not sure, no (laughing). I don’t really know. Obviously, they were kind of ready
for that. We had ran a couple early in the game and they made some adjustments, so it’s the same
thing. Good on them. Obviously, that was, whatever, fourth and half a yard. You just hope you can get a
little bit there. We just weren’t able to. It was a good play by them.
Q. Trevor, again, going back to the very last play, which was a crazy last drive, was there a moment
there on that pass to WR Christian Kirk that you thought he had gotten into the end zone?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, like I said, we’ve practiced that play and others too. That one, honestly, when
I caught the snap, hit the top of my drop, it looked like the exact look we wanted. It looked like it was
shaping up where he was just going to sneak in right underneath everyone and get in. When I let it go, I
thought we were going to score. Like I said, the safety came flying in and hit him right when he caught it
and kept him short. Then they all rallied and pushed him back. It sucks watching that when you are that
close. But yeah, they made a good play.
Q. Was there a ton of confusion early in that thing just before the fourth down where Christian looked
like he got the first down and then I guess you guys all thought it was a first down, but it wasn’t a first
down. It was third and one.
TREVOR LAWRENCE: You talking about the sneak? Yeah, there was a lot of stuff going on there.
Obviously, the play clock was running, but the ball hadn’t been spotted yet. We thought it was the first
down. So, the clock was running, but then the chains haven’t been moved, but the ball also hadn’t been
spotted. So, we weren’t really sure what was going on. Then they marked it short, so then we kind of
had to adjust from there. They pumped the play clock up for us, so they gave us a new play clock, so that
was fine. Even there, it’s like, regardless of the opinions of where the spot was, it’s second and inches.
We’ve got to find a way to get a yard there. We had three opportunities and didn’t do it—or whatever,
sorry, it was third down, I guess, there. We had two opportunities and didn’t do it. So that’s, obviously,
you’re kind of kicking yourself over that because that was a big play in the game where we didn’t end up
getting any points, and we were down inside the 30 or wherever we were. That’s one of the plays you’re
talking about. Making that play or whatever it is, we have to find ways to make those and turn these
games around and start being on the other side of them.
Q. At what point do you start worrying that those will not come and that, for whatever reason, this
team is either snake-bit or just can’t find a way to break through?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, we don’t believe in any of that. I don’t think that thought will ever come. It’s
our job to make those plays, and we’ve got the guys. We’ve got the guys to do it. We haven’t made them
up until this point in a few of these games. You just have to move on to the next one and go get the next
one and just get some of this momentum back because we really believe we’re a great team. When we
put it all together, we are. I think that’s important. Obviously, looking at where we are in the season,
there’s still so many games left. We have time. We need to go get one and get some momentum, but no
one is going to give it to you. We have to go earn it and make those plays. I believe that we’re going to
do it, and we just have to go do it.
Q. Big game for RB Travis Etienne Jr. today. Had some big chunk plays in the run game. Did you see
anything in your film work this week that let you know coming in that he was going to be able to have
that type of success on the ground?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: I mean, just the type of back he is, you kind of feel that way every week, honestly.
The group that we have up front, we saw some opportunities in the run game. We thought this was a
team where we could be effective in the run game and rush the ball well, and we did that. [We] had
some huge plays. Credit to the guys up front. Travis [Etienne] for running hard. All those guys. Tight ends
were blocking. I thought we did a good job in a lot of areas. And, obviously, Travis had some huge runs
and did a good job. Yeah, I mean, we feel that way really every week, but yeah, especially this week we
had some good stuff ready for them.
Q. Also, the offensive execution was a little bit up-and-down throughout the game today, but really
looked like it kind of came together on that last drive. Can you tell me from your perspective as a trigger man, what is it about that two-minute offense that really allows you to just get in the flow and
go right down the field?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, I mean, there’s a lot of factors. Obviously, the defense changes a little bit in
those situations because of the circumstances. You know, they’re up by six and trying not to give up big
plays. They’ll let you have some plays in front of them, trying to keep you inbounds, but they’re okay
with giving up some yards. You see a little bit more easier completions in those drives. But really, I think
just the guys knowing when we’ve got to have it and flipping that switch, regardless of how the game
has gone. Obviously, we’ve had a bunch of plays that we’d like back in every game. That’s how it’s
always going to be, but in that moment there’s a minute left. We have a chance to do something with
the ball. We’ve got to make that decision to go make a play, to go do whatever we have to do. Like you
saw in the fourth and 15, I think all of our fans had left at that point because it’s fourth and 15, and
there’s 20 seconds left. We don’t have time-outs. We’re on the minus-30. Marvin makes a great catch. I
don’t even know where the ball was, honestly. I got hit and drove into the ground. Got the penalty too,
[he] but goes and makes a play. Those are the plays that you’ve got to make. Unfortunately, we didn’t
make enough of those throughout the game. But to be able to do that and, like I said, where we were on
that fourth down and then to put ourselves on the 20, inside the 20, for those last few attempts at the
end zone, I mean, you can’t really ask for a better opportunity in that situation. That’s all you can do.
Obviously, we would love to hit one of those plays to Marvin or Zay before that last play or hit the last
one and get in the end zone. We had a lot of opportunities. That’s what’s frustrating. You always look
back. I know all the guys in the locker room, you look back at all those plays that you could have made.
That’s the great part about this game is whoever makes those plays wins, and we’ve got to find ways to
make them.
Q. With that said, how much do you think is that this team needs to learn how to win versus it’s just
an inch or two and the ball bounces the other way?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: You know, I think it’s both. It’s just having, I think, that momentum. You look at a
team like the Giants who are playing really good football right now, and they’re, what, 6-1 now. All their
games have come down like that. They’ve found a way to win. We knew that coming in, and our
message was let’s find a way to win this one. Like I said, [we] just came up a little short. I think when you
can go and make those plays down the stretch and go win one of these games and kind of turn that
momentum around, obviously, that helps. That’s what we’re looking to do moving forward. Obviously,
we would rather the game not come down to the very end and put it away early, but that’s not going to
be the case most weeks in the NFL. We had two early in the season where we just jumped on those
teams and got rolling and played really good complimentary ball and really just finished the game. That
was great, but most games are going to come down to the end, and we just have to find ways to make
those, and we’re getting closer. You saw it today. Closer and closer. But that doesn’t cut it, so we have to
make them.
Q. How much do you go back to losing streaks in the past for you? Do you rely on that to then maybe
change how you react to this, maybe what you guys do as leaders in the locker room?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: What exactly are you asking?
Q. Knowing you had losing streaks last year, do you go back and say, maybe we acted this way after a
loss, let’s do this instead? I noticed in the locker room just now seeing how many guys were going up
to each other and giving each other high-fives, like, hey, we got the next one.
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, honestly, no, not really looking back at the past in that way. But I think it’s
important to stick together. At the end of the day if we can stick together, that’s the only way we turn
this thing around. And we continue to put ourselves in this position, but find a way to actually get it done. If we don’t stick together, we don’t have a shot. I know we have a group that’s going to stick
together, and that’s one of the best things about this team is how close we are. You should have heard
the guys in the locker room after the game. Guys are so passionate about it. You put so much work in.
That’s the cool thing is that’s the only thing that anybody cares about is winning. It’s not about stats. It’s
not about someone getting the ball or a guy getting a bunch of sacks or whatever it is. It’s just everybody
wants to win, and that’s why people are so pissed off because we’re not finding a way to do that right
now. It’s going to come though. I believe that and we just have to go do it. Thank you.
GIANTS HEAD COACH BRIAN DABOLL
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022
Q. What are your overall thoughts of the win?
BRIAN DABOLL: Good to get a win. Made it tougher than we needed to, but good to be 6-1.
Q. What were your emotions on that last play, watching it unfold from the sideline?
BRIAN DABOLL: Where we stopped them on the 1? I was happy. Just watched the ball thrown and came
up short and watched the guys compete there for that yard. Good to get a win. Shouldn’t have came
down to that, though.
Q. Saquon [RB Saquon Barkley] could not stay inbounds a couple times there —
BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we should have stayed inbounds. Put it on me. We’ve got to do a better job than
that.
Q. Despite being 6-1, are you happy with the way you played today?
BRIAN DABOLL: Well, I’m never really happy ever. You know it’s always on to the next week. I’m glad we
won, but like I say every week, there’s certain things to clean up, and this week is no exception. There
were some good things we did. I thought offense got off to a fast start, did a good job of converting 3rd
downs, did a good enough job in the red zone, took care of the ball defensively, got the ball out there
when they were going into the red zone, had a critical 4th down stop. At critical moments that was
good, but we gave up too many yards, we didn’t capitalize in the red zone. Didn’t finish the game we
should have finished the game. There’re always things to clean up.
Q. What did you think of how Daniel [QB Daniel Jones] played?
BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, played good. Everybody knows we have Saquon [RB Saquon Barkley], so it’s tough
sledding. I thought Kaf [Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka] did a great job coming out throwing, moved
the ball down, scored on that first drive, kept them honest. It’s never going to be pretty. There’s usually
going to be stacked boxes, and might be one or two, and as long as we keep doing it, but with the added
element of I’d say Daniel today, which what did he have, over 100 yards, I think, and threw for 200?
Yeah, played good again, played really the way we need him to play.
Q. We saw a rare flash of him [QB Daniel Jones] getting frustrated. They showed it on the film —
BRIAN DABOLL: Daniel? No. No way. He did?
Q. Wow, you never see that?
BRIAN DABOLL: No, he [QB Daniel Jones] is like a cucumber, man.
Q. You didn’t get that sense from him? You just saw calm Daniel [QB Daniel Jones] the whole time?
BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, yeah. He’s really even keeled. He’s been that way since I met him.
Q. How impressive is QB Daniel Jones’ attitude?
BRIAN DABOLL: I think it’s a great attitude to have. I wish I had more of it.
Q. What happened to TE Daniel Bellinger?
BRIAN DABOLL: He got poked in the eye and I would say his eye looks terrible right now.
Q. Is there a concern there about like a loss of vision situation?
BRIAN DABOLL: I haven’t talked to anybody. I saw him [TE Daniel Bellinger] in the locker room when we
came in. He’s in the locker room right there.
Q. He went to the hospital?
BRIAN DABOLL: I think he [TE Daniel Bellinger] did, and then he came back, but he was in the locker
room when I got back. He looked like he took a pretty good hook shot there. It’s pretty swollen.
Q. Were there any fractures?
BRIAN DABOLL: I don’t know anything about it yet. I haven’t talked to Ron [Head Athletic Trainer Ronnie
Barnes] or any of the doctors.
Q. They announced in the press box that Adoree’ [CB Adoree’ Jackson] left with a concussion.
BRIAN DABOLL: No, he was being checked.
Q. They looked at him [CB Adoree’ Jackson]?
BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah.
Q. Did the injuries force you to change anything you wanted to do offensively?
BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we had a couple different personnel groups we couldn’t get into. I thought Bobby
[Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson] did a great job. Again, Phillips [LG Tyre Phillips] had to jump in
and then Ezeudu [LT Joshua Ezeudu], so again, young players that haven’t played a lot of football, in this
environment, in a close game. We’ll go in there and see how it looks, but that’s why we talk to all our
players every week and I talk to you guys about it, whether it’s 7-on-7 or one-on-one stuff. We’ve got to
continue to develop the depth of our roster and the young players, and they’ve got to be ready to play
when called upon.
Q. How have newcomers that weren’t previously on your roster made a difference this season for
you?
BRIAN DABOLL: It’s like I’ve said before, whoever is in our building is our job as a coaching staff to get
them ready to play. It’s their job to be a pro and learn how to play. That’s why we evaluate these
players. We practice them hard. If we feel like they can help us, they play. I think they did a good job
stepping up. Again, Slayton [WR Darius Slayton] early in the game had a nice go ball that Daniel [QB
Daniel Jones] threw. Those guys stay after practice and work really hard. It’s a good team win but
certainly things to do better.
Q. What impressed you most about Daniel [QB Daniel Jones] today?
BRIAN DABOLL: Consistency. He’s really been consistent since we’ve had him in all these games. Makes
the right decision, throws to the right guy. He’s operating our offense the way we need him to operate
our offense.
Q. Do you attribute stopping plays at the goal line to the way you guys are coaching to play defense
on this team?
BRIAN DABOLL: Well, I give the credit to the players. They’re the ones that knocked the ball out and
stopped them at the 1-yard line, fought for sixty minutes. Credit always goes to the players. I think
they’re competing. Again, we can do a little bit better than we did today.
Q. Do you have any sense of how bad Evan [RT Evan Neal] is?
BRIAN DABOLL: I don’t. No, sorry, guys. I won’t know until tomorrow. Same thing you guys probably
already have.
Q. What did you think of the turnout of Giants fans today?
BRIAN DABOLL: It was awesome. Even coming out before the game, to see all the blue, and it was
almost like a home game at the end there. They were screaming and yelling, and they traveled well. I
certainly think it was an advantage for us at the end there, and we appreciate their support big time.
GIANTS QUARTERBACK DANIEL JONES
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022
Q. Was the end nerve-racking for you?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, [it] went down to the wire there. Defense did a good job holding them, holding
them ultimately. Yeah, [we] did enough to win. Obviously, there’s some plays we’d like to have back, but
it’s a good team we played, and did enough to win.
Q. You had 107 rushing yards today. The Jaguars were focused on stopping RB Saquon Barkely, so did
you take advantage of that?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, I think so. I think that was a big piece of it. He attracts a lot of attention, rightfully
so, and then some things opened up off of it. I thought the offensive line did a great job controlling the
line of scrimmage throughout the game and cleared some opportunities for us to make plays.
Q. What were you thinking when you lost two of your offensive linemen in the first half?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, it was tough. [It’s] always tough to see guys go down. [They are] big players for us
and key players for us. But I thought the guys came in, stepped up and played really well. [Giants OL]
Josh[ua Ezeudu] and [Giants G] Tyre [Phillips] did a great job throughout the game. [We have] a lot of
faith and confidence in them.
Q. We saw a little frustration come out of you after the 4th down drop there at the goal line. Are you
surprised by that yourself? Head Coach Brian Daboll said he was surprised that that came out of you.
DANIEL JONES: Yeah. [It was the] heat of the moment, and I wish I could have that situation back. I pride
myself on being composed in those situations. Yeah, I wasn’t there. I’ve got full faith and confidence in
the world in [Giants WR] Marcus [Johnson], and yeah, [I’m] disappointed I let that happen.
Q. It seemed like Jacksonville’s defense made mistakes and were able to keep you guys on the field.
As a player what does that do for you when they’re making the mistakes and you can extend the
drives?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, we’ve got to take advantage of them when you get those opportunities. A couple
times we did, a couple times we didn’t. We’ve got to look back and see what we could have done better
in some of those situations.
Q. You scored a first-possession touchdown, which you hadn’t done in a while, and you did it by
passing it down the field. Did they load the box which lead you to passing the ball?
DANIEL JONES: I think a little bit of that and just [Giants WR Darius] Slay[ton] made a good play on the
outside, so giving him a chance to do that, and he made a great play, got a good release and made a
great play for us. I think that was key for us to get off to a good start, but we’ve got to build on that and
find a way to keep that going.
Q. You guys have been able to win a lot of games late. What makes your team special and what makes
you guys have the ability to do that, even in a game like today?
DANIEL JONES: I think there’s just a competitive spirit. There’s a mental toughness to our group, and
regardless of what’s happened earlier in the game or regardless of the situation, we’ve got confidence
that we’re going to execute and find ways to win. Like I said, there’s a lot of points in the game, a lot of
plays that we would like to have back, to clean up, and hopefully make a couple more plays so we’re not
in that situation, but credit to Jacksonville. They’re a good team, good defense, and they played well
today.
Q. Why are you disappointed in yourself for showing emotion?
DANIEL JONES: It’s just [that] I want to be composed in those situations. I think [Giants WR] Marcus
[Johnson], I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. Yeah, so I think just I’m competitive, it was heat of the
moment. I think you get fiery. Obviously, you want to score there. I’ve got a lot of confidence in him and
[I] don’t want to do that to any teammate.
Q. There were a lot of Giant fans in the stadium today. What was your reaction to that?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, we certainly appreciated the support and felt their energy throughout the game,
especially there in the fourth quarter when they got going. We appreciated the support throughout this
start and certainly today. They made an impact on the game.
Q. What did you think of TE Daniel Bellinger’s eye when you saw it in the locker room?
DANIEL JONES: Yeah, that was scary. [It’s] tough for him. He’s a tough guy. [He] made a lot of big plays
for us and feel for him on that situation. That’s not something you see a whole lot. [I] feel for him and
hope he’s all right.
Q. What do you think has allowed you to perform more consistently overall this season? What areas
do you feel like you’ve growth in your fourth year here?
DANIEL JONES: I mean, I think just trying to make the right decision with the ball and protect it when I
can. A couple of them we got lucky today on, and try to just keep doing that, keep putting the team in a
position to make plays at the end of the game. That’s what I’m focused on, and certainly some plays I
could do that better, and I’ll look to correct moving forward.
Q. What is it about the fourth quarter that you seem to like?
DANIEL JONES: I think we all want to be in those situations. I think as a team throughout the year, we’ve
created them and been in those situations seems like week after week, but I think we all want to be in
the pressure situation where you have to deliver, and we’ve done a good job of doing that.
Q. You’ve had five game-winning drives now. What are your thoughts on that?
DANIEL JONES: I think it’s the same idea. We’ve got guys that want to be in that situation down the
stretch. We’ve done it different ways, different points of the year, but ultimately, we found a way to
make enough plays to win.
Q. What did you like best about the way you played today?
DANIEL JONES: That we won, I think. That was certainly the best part of what we all did. I think we took
advantage of some opportunities that were there in the run game. I think we were creative in that way,
and the offensive line was big time there.
Q. Does it mean anything to you to get the 100-yard rushing game? I think this is your first, right?
DANIEL JONES: I don’t know, but not really. I think it’s [that] we took advantage of the opportunities that
were there, and some of those were on the ground with my legs, so [I] try to do that when the
opportunity is there.
GIANTS RUNNING BACK SAQUON BARKLEY
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022
Q. Saquon, how do you describe the emotions at the end of the game and how you pulled it out?
SAQUON BARKLEY: Yeah, we fought, found a way to win the game, the football game. Obviously, I’ve got
to be way better in situational football there, not even putting us in that situation, giving Jacksonville
another opportunity with that much time on the clock. But the defense had my back, not only my back
but the offense’s back. We trust each other, and we were able to get a win.
Q. Did you lose your balance on that play?
SAQUON BARKLEY: Just got to do better. Not going to make any excuses. Just got to be better. That’s
really it. I’m expected to understand the situation. I knew the situation. I tried to get down, but got to do
a better job of it.
Q. What was it like for you to have to be on the sidelines watching that final minute?
SAQUON BARKLEY: I mean, yeah, you know that you’re the reason why they’re even in that situation or I
forgot how much time they would have had, but you believe that our defense is going to get the job
done. In my mind, it’s like, damn, I can’t put us in that situation. But it came down to the last second,
probably two yards, but this team has grit, the team has fight, and we found a way.
Q. How long do you hold stuff like that? Will you be rid of it when you get back on the plane in the
air?
SAQUON BARKLEY: To be honest, I’m going to find a way to close my eyes, whether it’s tonight, whether
it’s on the plane, play it back in my head , do it the right way in my head and move on. Yeah, it’s part of
life. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to have your failures in life. But it’s easier to learn from
them when it’s a win, but this could have easily went the other way. But go back, watch it on film, find
time when I’m able to shut my eyes, play it back, have positive reinforcement behind it and move on.
Q. You had 18 yards at halftime on nine carries, so they were doing what they needed to do. What
changed late in the game so you really could —
SAQUON BARKLEY: You never want to take credit from another team. They did a great job. But that was
me. I was running soft, thinking about the wrong things. (The) O-line was playing lights out. I’ve got to
do a better job hitting the hole. But I’ll find a way to get on fire a little bit, closer to the end of the game.
I’ve got to go a better job starting out faster.
Q. When you say “thinking about the wrong things,” what were those thoughts?
SAQUON BARKLEY: Just not going out there and being 26. Just got to go back out there and trust in it.
We have a great system. We have a great offensive line, great players. They’ve been doing a great job
putting me in position to be successful, and I’ve got to make those plays, and I wasn’t making those
plays in the first half, so I’ve got to be ready for the team.
Q. You ran the same play a bunch of times down the stretch, didn’t you?
SAQUON BARKLEY: Good eye. We did. Can’t stop it, why not? Like I said, the difference was I was just
doing a better job of hitting it, trusting it. The O-line, especially (center Jon Feliciano) on those plays was
doing a great job opening it up, and just got to do a better job starting quicker.
Q. You said earlier this year the idea of a good team is able to run the ball when they know you’re
going to run the ball. They knew you were running the ball there. Is that almost the biggest statement
that you guys could have made as an offense to gain the yards you did when they knew the same play
was coming over and over again?
SAQUON BARKLEY: I mean, that’s every week, especially where we’re at now as a team. A lot of teams
will come and do different things to make sure to slow down the run game, but when that happens,
guys got to step up and make plays, which they’ve been doing all year. DJ (quarterback Daniel Jones) has
been balling, Slay (wide receiver Darius Slayton) going up top, David (wide receiver David Sills V), Richie
(wide receiver Richie James), all the guys, the tight ends, all those guys coming in and making plays
when we need them. As that continues to happen, you soften up a little bit, you can get back to just
getting downhill and trusting the run. You’re able to do that when Kaf (offensive coordinator Mike
Kafka) and Dabes (head coach Brian Daboll) and all the guys, the coaches don’t give up on the run,
especially when you’re behind, having trust in them, continuing to trust it, and for us as players making
it work.
Q. When you ran the same play at a time and it works and you run it again, do you think that has a
demoralizing effect on them?
SAQUON BARKLEY: I don’t know if they realized that it was the same play until probably like the fifth or
sixth time, to be completely honest. Then we had something off of when we keep it, and DJ
(quarterback Daniel Jones) made a big play, used his feet. It’s hard to — it can look like we’re running the
same play, but you can run so many things out of that formation. That’s credit to Kaf (offensive
coordinator Mike Kafka) and Bobby (offensive line coach Bobby Johnson) for setting us up. Was it
demoralizing? I don’t know. Just I can tell when you lean on defense, when you lean on defense
throughout the game, you can feel them starting to soften up, and take them to the deep water and
drown.
GIANTS SAFETY XAVIER MCKINNEY
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022
Q. What did you see on the last play if you can describe from your point of view?
XAVIER McKINNEY: I mean, we knew the situation. That whole drive, our mentality, and kind of what I
was preaching was just to just keep them inbounds. We knew they didn’t have any timeouts left, so we
were just trying to delay as much time as we could, and then the last play obviously we were just trying
to keep them out of the end zone. I think it was a great play call by [Giants Defensive Coordinator Don]
‘Wink’ [Martindale], and we’ve got to execute it, and we kept them out of the end zone in the end.
Q. Was there a feeling that it shouldn’t have been that close down the stretch?
XAVIER McKINNEY: Well, it is what it is. Things happen in the game, and it ain’t going to be perfect. But
we’ve all got each other’s back, and that’s the greatest thing about this team. We play as a unit no
matter what. For us defensively, we just knew we had to go out there and make another stop, which we
wanted to do, and which we were able to do. I don’t think we played, a lot of us don’t think we played
very good defensively today. [It was] probably our worst defensive performance. But we know we’ve got
a lot of work to do in order to get where we want to be. We’ve got a lot of things to improve on.
Q. Could you describe what happened on the forced fumble?
XAVIER McKINNEY: Yeah, I mean, it was just one-on-one situation, and it was kind of one of those things
where I knew we needed a play. [I] just did my best to try to hit the ball out. We’ve been practicing it in
practice. [Giants Defensive Backs Coach Jerome Henderson] Rome has done a great job of just bringing
us aside and kind of doing things like that of practicing on punching a ball out. We haven’t gotten a lot of
picks, so we’re just trying to generate turnovers any way we can, and we knew they were loose with the ball, so for me, I just punched at the ball, got it out, and it was a big play for us. [Giants SS Julian Love] J-
Love got the ball back for us.
Q. What have veterans done for this team, even guys weren’t even here when the season started?
XAVIER McKINNEY: Yeah, I think everybody that’s come in has done a great job for us with just buying
into what we want to do as a team and buying into what we want to do as a defense, and everybody has
been a huge contribution to what we want to do. They’ve come in, asked no questions, just got straight
to work. It’s been easy to kind of bond with them. All these guys are good guys. They’re even better
teammates. It’s been pretty easy for us.
Q. Jaguars TE Evan Engram hurt you guys early but not as much late. You know him well, obviously.
What did you think of him and how you were able to slow him down?
XAVIER McKINNEY: Yeah, we already knew [about him]. I’ve seen throughout the years I’ve been able to
guard him and we’ve all seen him. He’s super talented. It wasn’t any surprise. He was really hot early in
the game. We tried to do a better job in that second half of just being able to stop him because he was definitely a problem for us today. But he’s a super talented guy, and we have much respect for him. He’s
going to keep improving and keep striving and getting better.
Q. On that last play when Jagaurs WR Christian Kirk caught it, Giants LCB Fabian Moreau was there,
you were there, Giants SS Julian Love was there. Can you talk about again what you saw the moment
he caught the ball?
XAVIER McKINNEY: [We had to] keep him out of the end zone. That’s pretty much it. He was in the air
when he caught it, I think, so it was harder when he caught the ball and the offensive line started
coming in and trying to push the pile forward. That’s what made it a little difficult. But he’s a lighter
body, smaller guy, so it was easy to be able to keep him out, but once the offensive linemen came and
ran into the pile, it got a little difficult there at the end.
Q. You were one of the guys pushing him back?
XAVIER McKINNEY: Yeah, yeah, pushing him back, just keeping him out of the end zone.
Q. You wanted to keep him out but you’re also holding him up a little. Did you see the scoreboard at
all? Did you see the clock?
XAVIER McKINNEY: Well, we knew there was like ten seconds before the play started, so we knew they
didn’t have that much time, so obviously we wanted to keep them up as long as we could, and then
obviously be able to get him to the ground because we didn’t want the pile to get pushed forward into
the end zone. I think the whistle blew before all of that even happened. I think we were fine.
Q. You guys were 5-1 coming in here underdogs, now you’re leaving 6-1. When do you think you’ll
start to gain more respect?
XAVIER McKINNEY: I don’t know. I really don’t even care for that question anymore. I’m kind of tired of
answering it because it’s the same thing every week. Obviously, we know that. I really don’t care. We
don’t care as a team. The only thing we can do is keep focusing on what we can do and keep getting
better.
