Takeaways from the Giants’ 36-24 Win Over the Cardinals

1. “That’s what winning teams do… find a way to win games.” This sentiment echoed through the air as the Giants celebrated a tight 30-27 win against the Cardinals. It’s the second week in a row where they had to rely on a last-minute defensive effort to secure victory. With the injuries to key players like Jaxson Dart and Brian Burns, it’s easy to overlook that, despite some challenges, the Giants are still a winning team one month into the season. Yes, they’ve faced off against opponents like the Titans (who are yet to win this season) and the Cardinals (who have only one win), so it’s clear they’re not exactly dominating the league. Yet, here they are, sitting alone at the top of the NFC East. After four games, you can definitely see John Harbaugh’s influence making a difference on the squad.

2. Then there’s Jameis Winston. He was the full package—great throws, unfortunate choices, and a mix of the spectacular with the disappointing. On one hand, he threw two interceptions that turned the tide against his team. On the other hand, he tossed three touchdown passes to rally them back into contention. It’s interesting; this marked the 16th time in his lengthy NFL journey that he threw multiple touchdowns and multiple interceptions in a single game. Since he entered the league in 2015, no quarterback has done this more often than Winston. It’s like watching a tightrope walker without a net—exciting, but a bit nerve-wracking too.

3. The running game? Well, it continues to struggle. There was a moment in the fourth quarter, leading 27-24, when Najee Harris fumbled the ball in Cardinals territory. That unfortunate slip marked the fifth fumble for the running backs this season. Both Cam Skattebo and Harris were barely scraping by with their yardage, averaging just over 3 yards per carry, and the longest run of the game? A mere 9 yards. Grinding out those crucial yards isn’t easy, especially when the speed just isn’t there, and for what it’s worth, the running backs managed to catch only one pass all game. It’s clear they need to step it up to make a real impact.