CLEVELAND — Now get off Daniel Jones’ back.
Because Jones has found something.
Mostly, he has found Malik Nabers.
“He’s made a lot of big plays for us and I have a lot of trust in him going up and getting the ball,” Jones said after Giants 21, Browns 15. “We need to continue to take advantage of his ability to make plays.”
Behind an experienced offensive line (two sacks) that is keeping him upright, Jones has been able to deliver the ball decisively to his playmakers, mainly Nabers, but Wan’Dale Robinson (7-61) and Devin Singletary (4-43) as well.
“We have lots of guys who are dangerous with the ball in their hands and making guys miss catch and run,” Jones said. “I just try to give it to them and let them go.”
The vultures should no longer be circling Jones.
He resembles a different quarterback than the disoriented opening day Jones (44.3 quarterback rating) against the Vikings.
His QB rating against the Commanders was 100.
It was 109.4 against the Browns.
“Had another good week,” Brian Daboll said. “He’s had two good weeks in a row. Handled the noise well. Good job not turning the football over.
“He’s locked in. And he’s been that way.”
Jones (24-36, 236 yards, 2 TDs, 20 rushing yards) lost some rhythm in the second half but left encouraged.
“We fought and played resilient football,” Jones said.
Daboll and Jones kept the aggressive Browns defense on its heels with screens and misdirection and personnel creativity.
“We get a lot of screens, we get a lot of different plays because of our style, and we understand that,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said.
Jones never looked this confident last season.
Credit to him for blocking out the outside noise.
“I think it always feels good to get a win, however it comes,” Jones said. “First one is important, so we have to look at what we did well and build on it and clean up the things didn’t do well.”
He says that every week, win or lose.
He absolutely needed to say it after a win.
