In a stunning turnaround, the New York Giants come back from 20-0 to beat the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Thanks to some heroics from Daniel Jones and the defense locking things down, Big Blue finally stamped themselves in the win column. Here’s how it all happened.
First Half
Arizona received the ball first and proceeded to drive down the field with ease. However, the Giants defense forced them to kick a field goal. Matt Prater missed from 55 yards out, and things looked promising.
Unfortunately, New York could not get anything going on offense. Their first three possessions consisted of three punts and 23 total yards. To
To make matters worse, their fourth possession ended in an interception. It was similar to the one from last week, where Daniel Jones found Saquon Barkley but it slipped out of his hands and into the defender. This time, it was Jalen Thompson with the pick for the Cardinals.
In contrast, Arizona rebounded from their missed field goal to score two touchdowns. One was a touchdown run by James Conner, and the other was a 23-yard scramble by Joshua Dobbs.
josh dobbs deserves the angry run sceptre…@josh_dobbs1 x @KyleBrandt pic.twitter.com/E3KamFyDCa
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 17, 2023
The Giants were able to get the ball back before halftime, but couldn’t get anything rolling. A sack by Zaven Collins and Victor Dimukeje ended the Giants’ chances of scoring and Big Blue went into the first half down 20-0.
Second Half
Coming out of the locker room, the Giants need to wake up and answer the call. On the first play of the quarter, Daniel Jones found Jalin Hyatt for a 58-yard gain.
Jalin Hyatt led the Giants in receiving with 89 yards on only 2 catches.
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 17, 2023
They don’t win without him. pic.twitter.com/YOQ5oFPYuH
It set things up in the red zone, and Jones would run it in for a touchdown two plays later. Finally, the Giants ended their streak of scoreless quarters.
Arizona struck back immediately with a touchdown pass to Marquise Brown. But, the Giants continued to step on the gas. A 12-play, 75-yard drive ended in another touchdown, thanks to Saquon Barkley running it in from a yard out.
New York’s defense would begin to shut things down. Arizona’s next three possessions ended in a forced punt, giving the Giants offense a chance at a comeback. Drives of 80 and 64 yards ended in touchdowns, and in a snap the Giants tied the game at 28.
Daniel Jones Touchdown go Isaiah Hodgins & the Giants tie the game!!! pic.twitter.com/ciL5CSZk4e
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 17, 2023
Jones and the team got the ball back with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter. He proceeded to help move the ball down the field, chewing up clock in the process. Finally, with 19 seconds left, Graham Gano was sent in to kick the potential game-winning field goal.
New York Giants 31, Arizona Cardinals 28. Arizona couldn’t get anything going with their final drive, and their last play ended in an incompletion. New York clinched their first win of 2023, and it was a roller coaster to say the least.
Statistically Speaking…
For the G-Men, Daniel Jones was efficient and got the job done. He completed 26 of his 37 passes for 321 yards, throwing two touchdowns against the Cardinals (one to Isaiah Hodgins and the other to Saquon Barkley).
Speaking of Barkley, he led the team in rushing with 63 yards on 17 carries. Jones was actually not too far behind with 59 yards of his own. Both scored on the ground. However, the former was hurt on the team’s final drive. It looks like an ankle injury and is worth monitoring with the Giants playing the 49ers on Thursday.
Jalin Hyatt had two humongous receptions for 89 total yards. It helped the Giants get into Arizona territory with ease, especially true with that first possession of the third quarter. Darren Waller had six catches for 76 yards, showing he’ll be a trustworthy weapon for his quarterback every week. Isaiah Hodgins’ touchdown catch helped tie the game.
For the Giants defense, safety Jason Pinnock led the team in tackles with 13. Three of those were for loss. Bobby Okereke also played extremely well for New York. Unfortunately, the Giants recorded a second straight week with no sacks. That hopes to change on Thursday.
As for Arizona, Josh Dobbs had 228 yards and a touchdown. James Conner played well with 106 yards and a score.
In the end, the Giants got the win they extremely needed. Now at 1-1, they head to Santa Clara on a short week to take on Brock Purdy and the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers.
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