The New York Giants staged a remarkable second-half turnaround on Sunday, defying all the odds to come back from a 20-0 halftime deficit against the Arizona Cardinals, ultimately sealing a thrilling 31-28 victory with a clutch field goal by kicker Graham Gano.
Big Blue’s deficit reached as large as 21 points following a Cardinals touchdown and two-point conversion in the third quarter. Down 28-7, quarterback Daniel Jones put on his Superman cape and led the Giants to the largest comeback (tied) in franchise history.
It was the definition of a “tale of two halves” as the Giants couldn’t do anything right in the first two quarters.
What added to the shock was the fact that Big Blue was coming off an embarrassing 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week. Most thought playing (arguably) the worst team in the league would be the perfect recipe to get back on track.
For whatever reason, the Giants came out flat and got the living hell beat out of them for the first 30 minutes.
He didn’t get into specifics after the game, but whatever head coach Brian Daboll said to the team at halftime worked wonders as the team that came running out of the locker room after the break didn’t resemble the one in the first half in the slightest.
Jones put the team on his back in the second half and was downright dominant. He finished 26-of-37 passing for 321 yards and two touchdowns while adding 59 yards rushing and another touchdown on the ground.
Needless to say, the Giants put their fans through the ultimate roller coaster of emotions.
After all, we all know how hard it is to make the playoffs after digging yourself an 0-2 hole. Fortunately for Big Blue. Jones made sure that was not the case.
The peaks and valleys of the game led to excellent content on social media…
“What’s so sad is it looks like the players don’t care. You’re not even competitive! Completely pathetic.”
What’s so sad is it looks like the players don’t care. You’re not even competitive! Completely pathetic
— Stevie Garits (@StevieTGarris) September 17, 2023
“This is a joke. We looked like we regressed 3 years.” — “They actually was mid last year but had an easy schedule. I predicted that the Giants would be 0-8 in the first 8 weeks.”
They actually was mid last year but had an easy schedule. I predicted that the Giants would be 0-8 in the first 8 weeks.
— TruthLedgersRevenge456 (@TLR456) September 17, 2023
“And this is happening because the starters because of the coach sat out the whole preseason games so we don’t know what they’re good at thanks to the coach.”
And this is happening because the starters because of the coach sat out the whole preseason games so we don't know what they're good at thanks to the coach.
— Heath B (@RogerWi61908100) September 17, 2023
“We’re trash ….”
Were trash ….
— anthony (@CucuzzoAnthony) September 17, 2023
“DANIEL STEPHEN JONES III, WOW.”
DANIEL STEPHEN JONES III, WOW
— Burt Macklin NY (@BurtyMacklin) September 17, 2023
“Top 3 QB in the NFL and he isn’t 2 or 3.”
Top 3 QB in the NFL and he isn’t 2 or 3
— 𝓡𝓮-𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷 𝓚𝓪𝓷𝓮 | 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓹𝓱𝓮𝓷 (@31Shesterkin) September 18, 2023
“We are very lucky to have Daniel Jones as our QB. #NyGiants.”
We are very lucky to have Daniel Jones as our QB. #NyGiants pic.twitter.com/JD9iRdAg0Z
— Michael Freda (@MichaelFreda17) September 18, 2023
“Dub!”
— Petey Parks (@Football_Dude84) September 17, 2023
“The Giants scored 24 unanswered points to complete the franchise’s largest comeback in the Super Bowl era … The Giants win probability was as low as 4.7% with 38 seconds left in the 3rd quarter (trailing 28-14).”
The Giants scored 24 unanswered points to complete the franchise's largest comeback in the Super Bowl era.
The Giants win probability was as low as 4.7% with 38 seconds left in the 3rd quarter (trailing 28-14).#NYGvsAZ | #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/R3TvirFl69
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 17, 2023
“Bro played like he was worth 40 mil today.”
Bro played like he was worth 40 mil today
— AK (@AKris__) September 18, 2023
“Live look in the Cardinals locker room:”
Live look in the Cardinals locker room: pic.twitter.com/wQ1ozV4fkM
— JON DON KILLUMINATI ☝🏾 (@_nochasin) September 17, 2023
“Yah baby GIANT BIG BLUE HEART.”
Yah baby GIANT BIG BLUE HEART
— Cher Lynn dobbins (@Cheredhead4ever) September 17, 2023
“That Jonathan Gannon speech goes hard.”
Enjoy some highlights of the New York FOOTBALL Giants as they complete a 21 point comeback against the Arizona Cardinals. That Jonathan Gannon speech goes hard 😳 pic.twitter.com/vw1K1zchYp
— Rob (@rob_thibeault) September 17, 2023
Coach Daboll on the comeback win over the Cardinals
Watch: https://t.co/NTXJMHn9fN pic.twitter.com/ntB3UoW833
— GiantsTV (@GiantsTV) September 18, 2023
With the 49ers up next on a short week (Thursday Night Football), Jones and the Giants are going to need to be even better than they were in the second half if they hope to pull off the upset.
What did you think of Danny Dimes and the Giants comeback?
Yes, it was against arguably the worst team in the league – but the way they were able to flip the switch was impressive.
Hopefully for their sake, the disastrous first half is the final wake-up call they need.