BY STEPHEN WHYNO
Daniel Jones put together the best performance of his rookie season fresh off an ankle injury, throwing for 352 yards and five touchdown passes in the New York Giants’ 41-35 overtime victory against Washington on Sunday.
Jones was 28 of 42 in his first action since missing the past two games with a sprained right ankle. He tossed two TDs to Kaden Smith — including the game-winner — and also connected with Sterling Shepard, Saquon Barkley and Cody Latimer. His career-best fifth TD pass, 3 yards to Smith, came with 4:15 left in overtime after Washington (3-12) tied it in the final minute of regulation.
Barkley was the perfect complement for Jones and tormented a Washington secondary missing several regulars. He was responsible for 279 total yards: 189 rushing and 90 receiving and a score each way.
The trio of Jones, Barkley and Shepard showed further evidence that whoever is running the Giants (4-11) next season has talented building blocks to work with on offense, along with a high draft pick.
With the loss, Washington moved into the driver’s seat to draft Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young.
Barkley came into the day with just one run of 40-plus yards this season. He busted out a 32-yard run on New York’s first possession and turned Washington safety Montae Nicholson inside out during a 67-yard TD on his fourth carry.
He also had the game’s longest reception at 51 yards when Jones found him wide open in the first quarter.
On the injury front, Giants RT Mike Remmers left in the first half with a concussion. LB Alec Ogletree was absent from the first series on with a back injury.
The Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday in what could be Pat Shurmur’s last game as coach.
