The New York Giants looked like they finally had a breakthrough on their hands on Sunday. Until they didn’t. Jameis Winston threw for 357 yards, Wan’Dale Robinson exploded for a career day, butDetroit’s Jake Bates hit a 59-yard field goal with :28 left in regulation to force overtime, and the Giants lost, 34-27.
Jahmyr Gills ran 69 yards for a touchdown on the first play of overtime for the winning score. The Giants reached the Detroit 27-yard line on the ensuing drive, but Aidan Hutchinson sacked Winston on fourth-and-5 to end the game.
New York dropped to 2-10 and 0-7 on the road, despite outgaining Detroit 517–494 and holding the ball for more than 33 minutes. The Giants led 27-17 early in the fourth after Winston’s 33-yard touchdown reception from Gunner Olszewski on a trick play, but the defense immediately gave up a 49-yard score to Jahmyr Gibbs, setting the stage for the late collapse.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka made a controversial decision with the Giants ahead by three points, going for a first down on fourth-and-goal from the Giants’ 6-yard line with 3:07 to play. Winston’s pass to Theo Johnson was incomplete, meaning Detroit needed only a field goal to tie. Bates delivered.
Winston finished 18 of 36 with two touchdowns passing, one receiving, and an interception, while Robinson was electric with 156 yards receiving and a score. Tyrone Tracy Jr. added 62 tough yards on the ground, and the Giants recorded 25 first downs in one of their most complete offensive performances of the season.
But it didn’t matter. Once again, New York showed fight — just not finish.
Stats
Jameis Winston: 16 of 33, 357 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 11-yard scramble.
Wan’Dale Robinson: 9 catches, 156 yards, 1 TD.
Darius Alexander: 2 sacks.
Dane Belton: 9 tackles (4 solo).
Giants offense: 517 total yards, 24 first downs, 33:06 time of possession.
Jared Goff: 28 of 42, 279 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT.
Jahmyr Gibbs: 15 carries, 219 yards, 2 rushing TD; 3 catches, 27 yards, 1 receiving TD.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 9 catches, 149 yards, 1 TD.
Key takeaways for the Giants
Winston airs it out: The veteran delivered his best statistical game as a Giant, topping 350 yards and keeping New York aggressive for four quarters.
Wan’Dale explodes: Robinson put on a No. 1–receiver performance with 156 yards and a long TD that set the tone early.
Defense can’t close: Despite flashes, the Giants surrendered touchdown runs of 49 and 69 yards to Jahmyr Gibbs — including the walk-off in overtime.
Another one that slipped away: New York outgained Detroit and led by 10 in the fourth, but late defensive breakdowns and a stalled OT drive turned a winnable game into another painful road loss.
Giants injuries
- Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was ruled out in the first half with a neck injury.
Highlights
A Jameis Winston trick play touchdown. Unbelievable!!
Big interception for Jevon Holland.
Isaiah Hodgins with a sweet touchdown grab.
Mike Kafka dialing up the opening drive trickery.
New York Giants inactives
CB Paulson Adebo | Knee
QB Jaxson Dart | Concussion
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux | Shoulder
S Tyler Nubin | Neck
CB Deonte Banks | Hip
OT James Hudson
What’s next?
The Giants get an up-close look at a team whose blueprint from down-and-out to playoff-bound is one they hope to follow in Week 13. The Giants will be at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. to face the New England Patriots in a Monday Night Football game. Kickoff on ESPN is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.
