Giants rookie WR discusses spark for breakout game

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt revealed that a conversation with head coach Brian Daboll helped propel him to a breakout performance in Sunday's 10-7 victory over the New England Patriots.

"I used to average 100 yards at [the University of] Tennessee, and being up here was kind of tough for me at first," Hyatt told Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "I went to coach and asked, 'Is it me? Is it something I need to do better?' Dabes had a great talk with me one-on-one about how this is how the NFL is: One game, you can have the best game of your life, the next game, you can have nothing. It goes to Dabes and how much respect I have for him. He’s been teaching me about the league."

Hyatt, a third-round draft choice, hadn't yet evolved into the home-run hitter many expected he'd be ahead of Sunday's action. The 22-year-old recorded just 12 total catches across New York's first 11 games and failed to post a single 100-yard outing before he tallied five receptions for 109 yards in the win over New England that improved the Giants to 4-8 before their bye. 

In his defense, Hyatt wasn't able to build much in-game chemistry with starting quarterback Daniel Jones or primary backup Tyrod Taylor before both went down with injuries. Undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito completed 17-of-25 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown against the Pats to earn his second straight win as Big Blue's temporary QB1. 

"He just puts me in the right spots," Hyatt said of DeVito, according to Bridget Hyland of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "It’s really none of my credit, it’s all him." 

As noted by Dunleavy, Hyatt was responsible for New York's three biggest plays from scrimmage versus the Patriots in what became a rain-soaked contest. He and DeVito will look to post even better numbers when the Giants come off their break with a Week 14 home game against the Green Bay Packers (5-6) that may or may not get flexed out of the "Monday Night Football" window. 

"I always have high goals for myself," Hyatt added. "I had to stick it through with my preparation and make sure I’m staying up."