Arizona Cardinals (0-2) – New York Giants (1-1): 28-31
The NFL is probably the most homogeneous league in North American sports. While some saw the Cardinals going through the season without any victory, they concluded the first act with a 20-point lead and full of confidence. Not enough to overcome the Giants, who managed a “comeback” like we rarely see in the NFL. Left for dead after the first act, the Giants won the match in the wake of an irresistible Daniel Jones (26/37, 321 yards, 59 yards rushing, 3 TD, 1 INT) in the second half.
What a half. That’s 24 unanswered points for the @Giants!
📺: #NYGvsAZ on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/nXYMMU7PCY— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
If Jones is the star of the evening, he was able to make his teammates shine, notably rookie Jalin Hyatt (89 yards) and rookie Darren Waller (76 yards). The defense also experienced a sensational awakening, after 3 hellish quarters and a string of penalties. Dink Martindale’s squad came back into the match at the best time.
Lots of regrets for Jonathan Gannon’s men, as the score of Joshua Dobbs (21/31, 228 yards, 41 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and James Conner (106 yards, 1 TD) was perfect during the majority of the match . But a final air gap and a crumbly defense allowed this improbable comeback.
The Giants are back in the NFC race, while the Cardinals remain at the bottom of the NFC West division.
A demonstration by the Cardinals
A long nightmare, that’s what this first act looks like for the Giants. After 30 minutes, the Giants conceded 20 points, without scoring a single one. The Cardinals passed 241 yards to 86, managing to steal a ball. Rarely has such humiliation been seen in the NFL against what is considered the worst team in the NFL on paper.
Imperial, Joshua Dobbs first let James Conner score the first touchdown on the ground, before making a sensational run himself to double the lead (14-0). More conservative thereafter, the Cardinals added two field goals, taking advantage of an interception by Jalen Thompson. Arizona dominates all areas of play, facing a team in distress (20-0).
The awakening of the Giants
The second act coincides with a return of the Giants to the match. After a long pass to Jalin Hyatt, Daniel Jones finished on the ground to score the Giants’ first points this season (20-7). Hope quickly dampened by the Cardinals, who attack again in the wake of James Conner. Hollywood Brown completes the demonstration, with a new touchdown (28-7).
Definitely offensive, this third quarter offers a third touchdown, this time on the run for Saquon Barkley (28-14). The Giants have found a rhythm, but are chasing time and the score. In these moments of doubt, the Giants rely on the stars. Darren Waller, Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. The latter is at the conclusion of the touchdown of hope, bringing the Giants to a possession gap (28-21). IN full confidence, New York finished the match with a cannonball. A touchdown to equalize by Isaiah Hodgins (28-28), before Gano’s winning field goal a few seconds from time.
The Giants pull off their biggest comeback since 1949, and avoid the humiliation of going home 0-2.
