Giants reach 40-point mark for first time since 2019 season
After weeks of turmoil and mounting speculation about head coach Brian Daboll’s future, the New York Giants finally gave their fans something to cheer about at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. A spirited 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts snapped a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak and gave the Giants their first home win of the season after eight losses
Drew Lock led the way with a commanding performance, passing for 309 yards and four touchdowns, including a pivotal 59-yard touchdown to Malik Nabers. Nabers finished with seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy become the third rookie duo in NFL history to surpass 1,000 total yards from scrimmage.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette added to the excitement with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half, a play that ultimately proved to be the difference-maker.
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco kept Indianapolis in the game, throwing for more than 300 yards and connecting on two touchdown passes, including one to Michael Pittman late in the fourth quarter to pull the Colts within two points. However, a missed two-point conversion earlier in the game loomed large, leaving Indianapolis unable to close the gap.
Jonathan Taylor, returning from injury, added two rushing touchdowns, but the Colts’ struggles on fourth downs—failing twice in key moments—undermined their comeback effort.
The Giants’ defensive front, led by Elijah Chatman and Brian Burns, made critical stops when it mattered most. Chatman’s fourth-down stand against Taylor in the third quarter and Burns’ relentless pressure on Flacco helped the Giants maintain their lead.
Draft implications
While the victory may have cost the Giants the top spot in the 2025 NFL Draft, it marked a much-needed morale boost for a team and fanbase desperate for a win. The Colts, still in the playoff hunt, now face questions about their postseason prospects.
Injuries
- Defensive tackle Armon Watts was carted off the field with a left leg injury in the second quarter.
Highlights
Malik Nabers gets UP for his 100th catch of the year pic.twitter.com/Du5dfe9gM1
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 29, 2024
Darius Slayton gives the Giants a 14-3 lead pic.twitter.com/P22LqVcnPH
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 29, 2024
Malik Nabers for 6! pic.twitter.com/sAkUnvVl2b
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 29, 2024
Dane Belton with an over-the-shoulder interception of Joe Flacco! pic.twitter.com/Xlb3CuvyYk
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 29, 2024
Giants inactives
LB Micah McFadden
C John Michael Schmitz
CB Greg Stroman
DT Cory Durden
CB Dee Williams
QB Tim Boyle (Emergency third QB)
What’s next?
The Giants will end their season next Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field against the Philadelphia Eagles. Game time is 1 p.m. ET. Ex-Giants running back Saquon Barkley will be aiming to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards in that game.
