With seven minutes left in the game and the Giants trailing 20-10 against the Ravens, it appeared New York’s three-game winning streak was going to be over.
However, the Giants responded by going on a 12-play, 75 yard drive, which ended with a Daniel Bellinger eight-yard touchdown reception. On the Ravens’ next offensive series, Giants safety Julian Love picked off a Lamar Jackson pass and returned it 27 yards, which led to a one-yard touchdown run from Saquon Barkley.
New York needed the defense to stand up one last time, and they did. The Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux recorded his first career sack and forced a fumble, which Leonard Williams recovered with 1:30 remaining. Ultimately, Barkley would put the game completely away as he ran for six yards and slid at the two-yard line, and New York would win 24-20 to move to a surprising 5-1.
For the second straight week, New York battled back from a deficit, and for the second straight week, they found a way to get the job done.
“I’m just proud of the way they compete,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said postgame. “We talked about trying to play fast, trying to play physical, being resilient, and finishing. Throughout the game, I thought those showed up – obviously not perfect. There’s certainly a lot of things we can fix; that’s why we’ll be in tomorrow to try to fix them. And I’m just proud of the way the guys competed.”
Daniel Jones, who completed 19/27 passes for 173 yards and two touchdown passes, added: “No, we’re not shocked that we find ways to win. I think we’re confident in what we can do, and we’re confident in our toughness, our ability to compete and find ways to win down the stretch. So, no, we’re not shocked. I think we understand there’s a lot still out there for us, (and) there’s a lot we’ve got to work to improve on, but no, we’re not shocked.”
While the team is 5-1, according to Jones, they have more work to do.
“I think that’s the way we have to look at it is one game at a time,” Jones said. “We’re 5-1, and I think that’s certainly something that helps us build confidence, but when you look at the tape and when you’re playing these games, you realize how much more we can do and ways we can make a few more plays here and there, tighten up a couple things, and we’re better off going throughout the game. That’s where our focus is. That’s where, as a group, that’s where we’re going to look to improve on and how we’re going to go forward.”
Barkley, who rushed for 83 yards on 22 carries, including the game-winning touchdown for the second straight week, says New York has a great team.
“I feel like we’re a great team,” he said. “We’re a very confident team; we know that. Like coach said, it’s okay to be happy, but you don’t need to get overconfident – continue to stay humble, continue to keep that mindset, get better each day, and love the process.”
Last season, New York was 4-13, so they have already surpassed their win total after six weeks.
At this point, we might have to stop being surprised when the Giants win these types of games. They’ve won in all different ways this season, and while they might not be a great team, they have shown that they might be a good team.
