Giants at Titans score, takeaways: New York rallies behind Saquon Barkley, wins first season opener in 6 years

The Giants pulled off a stunning upset in Brian Daboll's debut

The New York Giants accomplished something they haven't in six years, winning a season opener. After a Daniel Jones touchdown pass to tight end Chris Myarick, new head coach Brian Daboll made a gutsy call by going for two points after the Giants cut the host Tennessee Titans lead to 20-19. Saquon Barkley powered his way into the end zone off a shovel pass to lift the Giants to a 21-20 victory.

The Titans had a chance to win the game on a walk-off field goal, but Randy Bullock's 47-yard attempt was wide left.

Barkley effectively put the Giants on his back in the second half and led the Giants back from a 13-0 halftime deficit. He finished with 18 carries for 164 yards and a touchdown and also caught six passes for 30 yards. 

Jones threw a bad interception in the end zone late in the fourth quarter and it seemed like hope was lost for the Giants, but he engineered the game-winning drive and threw the key touchdown to Myarick on a great play fake to Barkley. 

The Titans dominated the first half but the Giants' defense was able to hold them down and keep New York in the game.  

Here's a full breakdown from what transpired in Nashville:

Why the Giants won

Barkley AND Daboll. Barkley looked like the Barkley of old on Sunday. He showed incredible burst and breakaway speed and was running north and south instead of dancing behind the line of scrimmage. His 68-yard run on the Giants' first drive of the second half provided the spark. 

Daboll showed confidence in his team and his offense by electing to go for the win instead of the tie. This decision could go a long way to earning his team's trust as the season moves on.

Why the Titans lost

The simple answer is Bullock missed the field goal as time expired. Also, they needed to feed Derrick Henry a little more. Henry was held to just 82 yards on 21 carries.

Turning point 

An interesting play call cost Tennessee this game. Trying to be cute, with a pitch to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo on a key third-and-1 midway through the fourth quarter instead of handing the ball to Henry backfired. The Giants would stop him for a 4-yard loss and force a punt.

Play of the game

Barkley's 68-yard run on the Giants' first offensive play of the second half. This sparked the rally and showed that Barkley is back. (Honorable mention to Sterling Shepard, who had a 65-yard touchdown reception that tied the game 13-13.)

Quotable

Daboll on his decision to go for two and the win:

"Go for the win. We're going to be aggressive." 

What's next

The Giants will begin the home portion of their schedule next Sunday against the Panthers at 1 p.m. The Titans will play at Buffalo on Monday, Sept. 19. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:28 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants 21, Titans 20

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:28 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

It's wide left and the Giants get their first opening game win in six years.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:26 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Titans lining up for game-winning 47 yard field goal

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:22 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Another defensive holding on the Giants gives the Titans a first down. :23 left and the Titans about 10 yards from field goal range.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:20 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants called for defensive holding giving the Titans an automatic first down at their own 41 with :37 remaining

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:19 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Key third down here for Titans with just over 40 seconds left

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:18 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

False start. Titans backed up to their own 25 with 1:06 remaining.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:18 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Titans start from their own 30

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:16 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants are successful on the two-point conversion on a shovel pass to Saquon Barkley. The Giants take the lead on a gutsy call from head coach Brian Daboll. Giants 21, Titans 20 with just over a minute remaining and the Titans with one timeout remaining.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:14 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants are going for two points 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:14 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Jones hits tight end Chris Myarick off a play-action for a touchdown. Extra point pending. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:11 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Giants pick up the first down on a bootleg from Daniel Jones. Giants now inside the Titans' 5 after two Barkley runs.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:09 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Two minute warning with the Giants driving but needing to convert a key fourth down here or the game is all but over. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 7:03 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants get a stop after the Jones INT. New York trails by 7 with 5:27 to go from their own 27 yard line.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:53 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Daniel Jones throws a horrible pass that is picked off in the end zone. Was looking for Barkley, who was covered. Gotta throw the ball away there. Jones still making the same mistakes. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:50 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Titans muff a punt and the Giants recover at the Titans' 11. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:40 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants offense was basically two big plays so far today. Not able to sustain a long drive. As the fourth quarter begins we'll see if their defense can hold up or are they too gassed.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:31 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Dontrell Hilliard gets his second touchdown reception of the day. He was uncovered for a 23-yard score. Giants are definitely struggling to cover him out of the backfield. Titans 20-13.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:18 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Huge play from Daniel Jones to Sterling Shepard. Jones hits Shepard for a 65-yard touchdown, Shepard was able to shed a tackle to get into the end zone. Extra point is good this time and the Giants and Titans are tied at 13.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:10 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The 90-yard scoring drive for the Giants was longer than any they had all of last season.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:07 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

And Saquon finishes off the touchdown drive with a four-yard run for the touchdown. Giants now have some life but botch the snap on the extra point. 13-6 Titans

[Sep 11, 2022 at 6:05 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Saquon just showed some major burst on a 68-yard run. Good sign for the star running back. Let's see if it leads to points for the Giants. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 5:21 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Bullock connects from 23 yards as the Giants defense does it's job after Jones' fumble.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 5:15 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants were starting to establish the run on their fourth drive, but Daniel Jones is drilled and fumbles. Left guard is definitely an issue, rookie Joshua Ezeudu was in on that drive and he got beat which led to the sack and fumble.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 5:09 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Randy Bullock connects on a 46-yard FG to make it 10-0 Titans with 12:35 left in the half. Ryan Tannehill has been sharp early. 

[Sep 11, 2022 at 5:04 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

The Giants offense is sputtering at the start. Need to get the ball to Saquon Barkley and try to establish the run. The pass blocking is not there right now. Titans dominated that first quarter. Giants lucky to only be down 7-0.

[Sep 11, 2022 at 4:58 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Three drives for the Giants:

• One first down
• 36 total yards
• 2 sacks allowed
• one snap for Kadarius Toney

[Sep 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm ET · Kevin Steimle]

Kadarius Toney played just one snap on the first two Giants drives.