New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced at a press conference that Tyrod Taylor will start over Tommy Devito in the Week 18 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Taylor came on in relief in the Giants’ first game against the Eagles on Christmas Day and nearly led the Giants to a comeback victory.
The Giants ended up losing by one point, but Taylor stepped up the offense. Daboll said the trade was made to try to revive the team. That revival put him in the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.
Taylor had more than 300 yards through the air, but the Giants lost their third straight, 26-25. Taylor’s start against the Eagles will be his fifth of the season. Taylor started with quarterback Daniel Jones when he was out with a neck injury, but Devito replaced Jones after suffering a torn ACL with Taylor on injured reserve. While the game may not mean much to the Giants as they are mathematically out of the playoffs, Taylor will hit the free agency market this offseason and this is a chance to prove he has something. Taylor entered the league in 2011 as a sixth round pick. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, he played for six different teams in his NFL career. Ezoic His most productive years were when he was the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills from 2015-2017. Taylor ended the franchise’s 18-year playoff drought and never threw more than six shutouts in any of his three seasons. Taylor never put up flashy numbers, but he was consistent and his rushes always forced opponents to make unique plays. This season with the Giants is the first time Taylor has gained more than 1,000 yards since he was with the Bills. In a New York Post article, teammate and wide receiver Darius Slayton explains how impressive Taylor’s career is. “The way he goes about things, he never causes trouble, but at the same time he has a lot of confidence. He gives guys advice when he can, encourages guys when they’re down,” Slayton said. “If you were a young guy, a rookie, or something you wanted to emulate as a pro.” A Week 18 matchup with the Eagles is Taylor’s chance to prove he still has some juice left in the offseason as he looks for a new home. Ezoic The New York Giants had to ignore the hype surrounding QB Tommy Devito to make the right pick
Although Devito was the Giants’ favorite for his distinctly Italian ways, his play did not warrant a starting spot at QB. Devito topped the 200-yard mark just once as a passer. He also threw for multiple touchdowns only twice, one of which was a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in a game where he had only 86 yards. Devito was efficient and handled the ball as a starter during the Giants’ three-game hitting streak.
Devito’s last interception came against the Cowboys in mid-November. In the victory of Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers, Devito threw only 158 yards. Ezoic Despite one catch for 158 yards, Devito’s 81% completion percentage and zero interceptions helped the Giants win against a team with a chance to make the playoffs. Devito also had a career-high 71 passing yards. Despite Devito’s ability to protect the ball, he often can’t move the offense at a pace that can win games against other high-powered offenses. He had just 55 yards before being pulled in the Giants’ previous game against the Eagles. Even if Devito doesn’t get a second chance, he may have already done enough to earn a spot on an NFL roster for years to come. His time as a starter may be over, but if he can continue to handle the ball efficiently and carefully, he could have a strong NFL career.
