The New York Giants watched a promising start unravel in spectacular fashion on Sunday, falling 26-14 to the winless New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.
After building an early 14-3 lead behind two first-half touchdown passes from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to tight end Theo Johnson, the Giants’ offense completely imploded committing five consecutive turnovers that turned a potential road win into a collapse.
It started late in the second quarter when Darius Slayton fumbled after a short reception, setting up a Saints field goal to end the half. From there, the floodgates opened. Per the CBS broadcast, the Giants were the first NFL in nine seasons to turn the ball over on five straight possessions. The New York Jets were the last to do it.
The Giants fell to 1-4. New Orleans, also 1-4, earned its first victory of the season.
Turnovers pile up
Dart fumbled untouched early in the third quarter while trying to scramble, and the Saints capitalized with a short field goal. Then came a red-zone disaster — running back Cam Skattebo lost the ball on a routine inside run, which was scooped up and returned 86 yards for a touchdown to make it 26-14.
On the next drive, Dart tried to make something happen on a fourth-and-6 but was intercepted deep downfield by New Orleans corner Kool-Aid McKinstry, effectively ending any chance of a comeback.
The Saints scored 23 unanswered points while the Giants’ offense went scoreless for the final 36 minutes of play.
Early promise fades fast
For a moment, it looked like Dart was building on last week’s breakout win against the Chargers. He opened with poise, leading an eight-play, 59-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown to Johnson. Later, Dart connected again with the second-year tight end on a 15-yard strike to put the Giants up 14-3.
But costly mistakes both mental and physical flipped the momentum. The Giants were flagged twice for defensive pass interference on key drives, and Slayton stalled potential scoring chances with a drop and a fumble. Dart also underthrew Slayton on a third-and-2 flea flicker that should have gone for a touchdown.
Key stats
- Jaxson Dart: 26 of 40, 202 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 fumble.
- Cam Skattebo: 15 carries, 59 yards, 1 fumble lost.
- Theo Johnson: 6 catches, 33 yards, 2 TDs.
- Rashid Shaheed: 4 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD (87-yard score).
- Spencer Rattler: 20 of 30, 225 yards, 1 TD.
Injury news
- Wide receiver Darius Slayton left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
- Cornerback Dru Phillips suffered a leg injury.
- Linebacker Swayze Bozeman injured an ankle.
See it
Giants inactives
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Hamstring)
RB Tyrone Tracy (Shoulder)
QB Jameis Winston (Emergency 3rd QB)
OL Evan Neal
DL Elijah Garcia
Up next
The Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Game time is 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The Giants face the Eagles twice in a three-game span, separated by a trip to Colorado to face the Denver Broncos.
