Giants beat Cardinals on game-ending pick-six to move to 3-1
On a day when many of the 1986 Super Bowl champions were on hand to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their title, the Giants walked-off with a pick-6 to play proper homage.Deonte Banks — whose NFL career looked dead in June — rebounded from a key defensive pass interference penalty to jump in front of a fourth-down pass and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown as time expired on a 36-24 victory against the Cardinals.Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.
Facing fourth-and-goal at the 4-yard line in need of a touchdown and a PAT to win the game, Jacoby Brissett threw to Michael Wilson, but Banks jumped the route and had nothing but space in front of him as he soaked in a long run with exploding fans who no longer see him as a draft bust but as a salvaged starter with promise.You wanted your quintessential Jameis Winston Game, you got it.After expressing frustration this week that he has been drawing too much criticism for quietly managing the Giants to a victory by people who wanted to see his trademark make-or-break throws, Winston threw three touchdowns and two interceptions at MetLife Stadium.The Giants are 3-1 for the first time since 2022 and have won their first three home games for the first time since 2008 in old Giants Stadium.With the Giants protecting a three-point lead and 11:08 on the clock, Najee Harris, who barreled in for a two-point conversion earlier, fumbled on a second-effort push.It was the fifth fumble in four games by the Giants’ top three running backs.The Giants survived because Abdul Carter — stepping up with Brian Burns out for the season — had back-to-back quarterback hits to force a thee-and-out.Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese got the Giants defense turned around in the second quarter with three game-changing plays.Reese hit Brissett and forced an underthrown interception to Greg Newsome II.
He also made an open-field third-down tackle on Tyler Allgeier t...