Daniel Jones’ prime-time struggles: Giants QB brings worst record under bright lights since 1970 against 49ers

Deion Sanders, also known as “Prime Time,” is sweeping the sports nation right now. That nickname isn’t for everyone. Namely, Daniel Jones. The QB affectionately known as “Danny Dimes” probably won’t be touching the “Prime Time” nickname anytime soon.

Jones and the Giants will travel to play the 49ers on a short week in the national spotlight on Thursday Night Football. Jones has a 1-10 record in his career in prime time, the worst record of any QB with at least 10 starts since 1970. The second-worst? Andy Dalton. 

Worst prime time records since 1970 among QBs with 10+ starts

Jones’ only win in prime time was against the Commanders last December: A 20-12 victory that ended on a questionable non-call, a potential pass interference on the Giants in the end zone on fourth down with the Commanders driving to tie the game. 

That win snapped Jones’ nine-game losing streak in prime time to begin his career. It’s also been long forgotten, especially after the Giants opened the season with an embarrassing 40-point loss on Sunday Night Football against the Cowboys.

Daniel Jones’ career in prime time

Any Daniel Jones apologist might point to the fact that the Giants were not expected to win many of these games. They have been a betting underdog in 10 of his 11 starts in prime time. You can’t expect him to have a winning record in those situations. He’s played on a losing team for most of his career, up until last year, and he’s often matched up with a much better opponent on national TV.

There’s some truth there. My counter, though: Jones’ numbers in these spots don’t help his case. He has 12 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions in 11 prime time starts, compared with 50 touchdowns to 22 interceptions in all other games. 

Daniel Jones’ career

Thursday will be one of Jones’ biggest challenges, a road game against the 49ers, one of the best teams in football. And specifically, one of the best defenses with a pass rush that can take advantage of the Giants’ weak spot, their offensive line.

Jones will likely be tasked with slaying that dragon without the Giants’ top offensive weapon, Saquon Barkley. Barkley is expected to miss the game with an ankle injury suffered in New York’s 21-point comeback win in Arizona on Sunday.

I can’t understate Barkley’s impact. Jones has just 16 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in games where Barkley doesn’t play, compared with 46 touchdowns to 20 picks when he does play.

Add it to the list of reasons to doubt Jones on Thursday. However, he proved he could be a one-man band of sorts in Week 2. He became the first player in Giants history with 250 pass yards, 50 rush yards, two touchdown passes and a rush touchdown in a game, and he did that in the second half alone. Michael Vick (2010 at Washington) was the only other quarterback to have a half like that since 2000. That’s really impressive, even if it was against the Cardinals.

So, if there’s a silver lining here, it’s that Jones has a golden opportunity to change the narrative. Imagine if he can build off last week’s comeback win and stun the 49ers without Barkley? 

Jones has never won a game as a double-digit underdog in his career (0-7). He has a chance to do that on Thursday and silence the critics who have 40 million reasons to put his performance under the microscope.