Throwback Giants find a way to overcome Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals travelled to New York with a 1-2 record, looking to bounce back from a narrow loss to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. Jacoby Brissett had thus far continued his 2025 form to provide steady play at quarterback to get the best out of his team’s youthful offense, while rookie running back Jeremiyah Love had delivered a breakout performance in Week 3.

The Giants entered at 2-1 but had plenty of questions on offense following the season-ending injury to Jaxson Dart. Jameis Winston was set to make his second straight start, while New York had also lost star pass rusher Brian Burns to a torn ACL. With both teams dealing with significant changes, the matchup at MetLife Stadium presented another important test early in the season.

Marvin Harrison Jr. had been the least productive of the Red Birds’ young weapons, but changed his fortunes early in the afternoon, scoring the game’s first touchdown on the opening drive as Arizona’s offense continued its strong form.

Winston found Malik Nabers for an acrobatic catch down the field, though it left Nabers injured on the ground as Giants fans, who would have surely thought they had suffered enough bad luck in recent years, had their hearts in their mouths. Their drive also stalled, leaving Dominic Zvada to score their first points with a field goal.

The Cardinals made very quick work of another drive, moving swiftly into Giants territory before backup running back Tyler Allgeier made the most of his opportunity, taking it 22 yards for a score. Arizona fans have been spoilt for choice so far this season as to which part of the offense to be most excited about.

New York’s undermanned offense, much like the previous week, could only muster field goals, though a momentum shift came when Greg Newsome II intercepted Brissett. Unfortunately for the home team, no points ensued as the offense continued to look lifeless at best.

Having slowed the game to a tempo that suited their chances more, the Giants did continue to gain some ascendancy, and after 3 long weeks without a touchdown, finally returned to the end zone through rookie Malachi Fields for his first professional score, who still had his name called out despite Nabers returning to the game.

Riding all the momentum of a home crowd wanting to see their team go 3-1, the Giants took the lead through a touchdown by Nabers after another interception had been thrown by Brissett, with a deflection falling into the lap of New York’s top draft selection, Arvell Reese.

The energy shifted once again when Winston was intercepted by Denzel Burke with 30 seconds left in the half, which allowed the Cardinals a chance to put some points on the board before the half. They did just that, though only a field goal, as they trailed 17-19.

Winston’s second half picked up where his first left off, throwing another interception that sparked life into Arizona. They were able to parlay the big defensive play by Budda Baker into some offense again, scoring the go-ahead touchdown through an unlikely source in Elijah Higgins.

But just when the Giants looked to be losing control of the game, Winston did what he has made a career out of, pulling a rabbit out of a hat on 3rd and 20 to find Fields foe 40 yards. New York were set to attempt a field goal before a defensive holding call reset the downs, giving Winston the chance to find Theo Johnson for 6, giving the game its 4th lead change.

The game ultimately came down to the very final seconds. The Cardinals, having worked their way 70 yards down the field, found themselves on the Giants’ 4-yard line on 4th down, trailing by 6 and with everything on the line as the contest reached a thrilling climax.

A touchdown was scored, but not by the team you would expect. Brissett was picked off by Deionte Banks, who returned it all the way for a house call as the clock ran down to zero, bringing the fans at MetLife Stadium into a frenzy as they watched their team win for the 3rd time in as many home games to begin 2026.

Touchdowns
Arizona: Wilson, Allgeier, Higgins
New York Giants: Fields, Nabers, Johnson, Banks

Top Performers
Arizona: Wilson, Baker, Collins, Wilson Sr.
New York Giants: Winston, Nabers, Banks, Reese, Newsome II

Injuries
Arizona: Wingard (knee), Adams (ankle)
New York Giants: Berrios (foot), Golston (neck), Pinnock (concussion)

Crowd: TBC at MetLife Stadium