A final play changes the margin

The Giants secured a second consecutive victory Sunday when cornerback Deonte Banks intercepted Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett at the goal line and returned the ball 98 yards for a touchdown as time expired. The dramatic finish turned a six-point game into a 36-24 final at MetLife Stadium.

New York improved to 3-1 and remained unbeaten at home. The final score looks comfortable, but the result was unsettled until the last snap. Arizona reached the Giants’ 2-yard line while trailing 30-24 and had one fourth-down chance to force overtime before Banks ended the drive.

New York erases an early deficit

The Cardinals built a 14-3 lead, forcing the Giants to respond from behind. Jameis Winston stabilized the offense and finished with 250 passing yards and three touchdowns. His second-quarter scoring throws to Malachi Fields and Malik Nabers brought New York back into the game.

Winston later connected with tight end Theo Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown with 1:44 left in the third quarter, erasing Arizona’s final lead. The offense did not dominate every possession, but it created enough explosive plays and finished drives when the game’s momentum was shifting.

Nabers provides the main receiving threat

Nabers caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, giving Winston a reliable option when New York needed to stretch the field. His production helped prevent Arizona from crowding the line of scrimmage and opened space for the rest of the passing game.

A balanced offense is especially valuable while Winston fills the quarterback role. The Giants do not need every series to depend on one receiver, but the threat of a 100-yard game from Nabers changes how defenses allocate help and creates more favorable matchups elsewhere.

Banks recovers from a costly moment

The closing sequence captured the volatility of defensive football. Banks was called for pass interference during Arizona’s final possession, helping the Cardinals reach the goal line. Moments later, he read Brissett’s fourth-down throw, intercepted it and found open field along the sideline.

A defender cannot undo a penalty, but he can remain ready for the next play. Banks’ return showed that resilience and also rewarded a defense that had been forced to defend a short field. The touchdown was not necessary to win once he secured the interception, but it provided the game’s defining image.

A 3-1 start changes expectations

Four games do not settle an NFL season, yet the Giants have created a meaningful early position. Consecutive wins have followed a 1-1 start, and the club now sits at 3-1 with evidence that it can win close games through both offense and defense.

The early record also gives the coaching staff room to improve without chasing the season. New York can study why the offense started slowly and why Arizona reached the goal line late while preserving the confidence that comes from finishing both moments successfully.

The next test comes on the road against Washington on October 11. The Commanders fell to 1-3 Sunday, but their quarterback situation and home environment will create a different matchup. New York’s priorities are clear: reduce early deficits, protect the football and carry its late-game discipline away from MetLife Stadium.

Sunday’s victory did not come from a single clean formula. Winston led the comeback, Nabers supplied yardage and Banks delivered the decisive play after a difficult penalty. That combination of recovery and execution is why the Giants left the field with a winning record rather than a lesson in what almost worked.

Sources: Reuters NFL roundup and Giants game summary; New York Giants official game analysis; NFL schedule and final score. Reporting reviewed October 5, 2026.