The most shocking fact from Sunday’s game is that the New York Giants did not win by a long march down the field, but by a single play that happened in the final seconds. With the Arizona Cardinals facing a fourth-and-goal from the four-yard line and only seconds left on the clock, the defense made a play that sealed the 36-24 victory.
A 98-yard touchdown return followed Deonte Banks’ interception of a pass at the two-yard line. This play ended the game instantly and gave the Giants their third win of the season. Per Giants.com, this was the finishing touch on a hard-fought battle at MetLife Stadium.
It is rare for a game to be decided by a pick-six with such little time remaining. Most games end with a field goal or a fumble. This one ended with a cornerback running the length of the field. The Cardinals had the ball on the goal line, a spot where most teams score. Banks took the ball away and ran it all the way back. He finished the game with four passes defensed and four tackles. His work on that final drive was the difference between a loss and a win for the team.
Rookies Making Big Plays
The story of this win was not just about the end, but about how many young players stepped up when it mattered. The Giants have a group of rookies who are playing with a high level of skill. Arvell Reese, the fifth overall pick, recorded his first career interception. He also led the team with nine solo tackles and added a tackle for loss. His performance marked the second week in a row where he dominated the field. Giants.com reported that Reese is already making a massive impact as a rookie linebacker.
On the other side of the ball, tight end Theo Johnson made the most of his only chance to touch the ball. The third-year tight end was targeted just once on Sunday, but he caught an 11-yard pass from quarterback Jameis Winston for a touchdown. It was a perfect execution of a simple play. While Johnson had few targets, the one he got was the most important. He showed that he can score even when the team does not look his way often.
The Kicker Who Never Misses
While the defense and the rookie receivers got the headlines, the kicker provided the steady hand that kept the score high. Dominic Zvada has successfully converted all nine field goal attempts to start his NFL career. He converted all three field goal tries on Sunday, with two coming from beyond 50 yards. He also made his lone extra point attempt. This perfect start is a huge relief for a team that has struggled with kicking in the past. The undrafted rookie is proving he belongs in the league with his accuracy from long range.
The pressure on a kicker is high, especially when the game is on the line. Zvada did not flinch. He hit two long field goals and the extra point. His success rate is one hundred percent so far this season. This is a rare feat for any player, let alone a rookie who has never played in the NFL before. Giants.com noted that his performance continued his perfect start to the season.
Pressure That Stopped the Run
The defense also found a way to disrupt the quarterback with speed and power. Of his 37 pass rush attempts, Abdul Carter recorded pressure on nine. His young career saw no single game with more pressures than this one. His pass rush get-off time was 0.70 seconds, which was the second-fastest in his career. Eight of those nine pressures were quick pressures under 2.5 seconds. No player has logged more quick pressures in a single game this season than this. Carter is becoming a force in the backfield for the Giants.
Veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds did a little bit of everything to help the defense. He finished with nine total tackles, eight of which were solo. He also recorded a sack, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit. His all-around play helped keep the Cardinals from moving the ball. The team needed a veteran presence, and Edmunds delivered.
