In a passionate postgame analysis, Tiki Barber, the legendary former New York Giants player, expressed his frustration over the team's heartbreaking 33-32 defeat against the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. Barber was particularly upset about the critical play-calling decision that led rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to throw an interception with less than five minutes left in the game. At that moment, the Giants were clinging to a 26-16 lead.
During his discussion on the WFAN postgame show, Barber highlighted what he believed was a pivotal mistake during that drive. He argued that the Giants' primary goal should have been to manage the clock effectively and force the Broncos to use their timeouts, rather than risking a turnover. “It’s third-and-4 or 5…and Sean Payton has used two of those timeouts,” Barber pointed out. “The only play that you call – and I don’t know if this is Mike Kaka trying to be cute, I don’t know if this is Brian Daboll trying to be aggressive, I don’t know if this is Jaxson Dart trying to be a hero.”
Barber suggested that the best strategy would have been to run the ball, compelling the Broncos to expend their last timeout, thereby creating a situation where they would have to drive the field without timeouts, all while the clock was running. At that stage in the game, the Giants had a comfortable two-possession lead.
Expressing his thoughts on rookies in high-pressure situations, Barber lamented, “This game was lost, and you heard me scream it, as soon as they decided to put the ball in a rookie’s hand.” He emphasized his distrust of rookies during critical moments, as they often make poor decisions. “They make stupid rookie decisions like throwing the ball over the middle of the field in simulated blitz, when the linebacker is actually dropping into coverage, and you don’t see him. And you think you have a big play, but you don’t,” he added.
Barber firmly placed the blame on the play call, stating, “This is on the play call. Period. The only thing you do is force the Denver Broncos to use three timeouts, keep the clock running, and punt the ball away. It’s an excusable play call, and I don’t understand it in any capacity.”
Despite the critical interception, Jaxson Dart had a commendable performance overall, finishing the game with 15 completions for 283 passing yards, alongside three touchdowns and the interception. He also contributed with a 1-yard touchdown run, showcasing his potential as a quarterback in the NFL.
Unfortunately for the Giants, their defensive struggles in the fourth quarter proved costly, as they surrendered a staggering 33 points. This collapse allowed the Broncos to capitalize on the Giants' mistakes, resulting in one of the most challenging losses of the season.
