Theo Johnson’s penalty negated feeble Giants’ only would-be touchdown: ‘Have to be physical’

The Giants were down, but not quite out, trailing the Eagles 14-0 on Sunday when Daniel Jones fired into the end zone to rookie tight end Theo Johnson, who made the catch for a 10-yard touchdown reception with 9 seconds remaining in the first half. 

Possible momentum swing? No. Johnson did not even celebrate what would have been his first scoring catch of his NFL career. 

“It could have gone either way,’’ Johnson told The Post. “As soon as I saw it, I kind of figured what it was.’’

What it turned out to be was a penalty flag.

Johnson was called for offensive pass interference for his contact in the back of the end zone with linebacker Zack Baun.

There was a push but certainly not a shove. 

“Whenever it gets called you always think maybe you could have done something different,’’ Johnson said. “I mean, I’m running to a spot in the end zone and it’s kind of one-on-one with a linebacker, and you have to be physical, because if you’re not you’re just running to get covered. So I got to do something to try to get myself open. Obviously not get a penalty.’’ 

Instead of pulling within 14-7 at halftime, a Greg Joseph field goal made it 14-3. The Giants did not get a sniff of the end zone the rest of the way in a 28-3 loss at MetLife Stadium. 

“Super,’’ said defensive end Brian Burns, when asked if that call was deflating. “I mean, I feel that could have given us some energy, gave us momentum back. I see it as a touchdown but maybe I’m a little biased.’’ 

The effort of CB Deonte Banks can be called into question when he showed no interest in tackling QB Jalen Hurts on a scramble in the fourth quarter.

Hurts took off down the right sideline, and Banks basically allowed him to run unimpeded past him and out of bounds. 

“I had a bad play,’’ Banks said. “I think I could have made it, but sometimes when you’re in the moment you just think like, ‘Nah,’ but I think could have made the tackle.’’ 

Banks said he thought Hurts might slide.

This is the second time this season Banks has not given maximum effort on a play.

He failed to tackle Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb in Week 3. 

“We’ll take a look at all that stuff and whatever we need to address, we’ll address,’’ head coach Brian Daboll said. “I’m not going to get into the sideline or coaching part of it. But, none of it was good enough.’’ 

Drew Lock in his first action for the Giants at quarterback completed 3 of 8 passes for six yards.

He was sacked once.

WR Jalin Hyatt does not get much playing time. He got in late in the game, was targeted with one pass and did not have a catch.

He did sustain an injury though.

X-rays revealed he cracked a rib.

CB Cor’Dale Flott came off the field with a groin injury, forcing Nick McCloud into the game.

LB and core special teamer Ty Summers went down in the second quarter with an ankle injury.