Giants 24, Packers 22: DeVito's Legend Continues to Grow
East Rutherford, N.J.: New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito furthered his legendary status by leading his team to a stunning 24-22 win over the Green Bay Packers on the come-from-behind drive.
The Giants, who also rode the coattails of another strong defensive performance, overcame some early game miscues on special teams and a late-game lost fumble by running back Saquon Barkley that allowed the Packers to regain the lead 22-21 with 1:33 left in the game.
But that was plenty of time for the Cedar Grove, New Jersey native, who finished 17 of 21 (80.9 percent) for 158 yards and one touchdown and who added 71 rushing yards on ten carries to drive his team down the field to set up Randy Bullock's 37-yard game-winning field goal.
With the win, the Giants are now just one game out of the postseason hunt, but they drop to the No. 8 overall spot in the draft per Tankathon.
Game Balls
Add "ice" to the growing nicknames finding their way to Tommy DeVito, the undrafted rookie free agent who continues to author an amazing Cinderella-like season.
DeVito was once again pristine with his ball security. But a huge difference for him this week was that he wasn't sacked once, thanks in part to the coaches emphasizing getting the ball out quicker and having DeVito use his legs more. When it was all done, DeVito completed 80.9 percent of his passes for a 113.9 quarterback rating and is certain to be among the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week nominees for Week 14.
Defensively, give a game ball to outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who recorded a half sack, growing his streak with at least a half sack to three games. This, in fact, marks the second time this season that Mr. Thibs has recorded three consecutive games with at least half a sack. Thibodeaux also finished third on the team in total tackles with eight (one solo), and he had a pass breakup and a forced fumble as part of his night.
Lame Ball
There are several candidates to choose from, but we'll go with tight end Lawrence Cager for his lack of awareness and/or the rules on the Packers kickoff toward the end of the first half. Packers kicker Anders Carlson's kickoff was well on its way toward going out of bounds.
The problem is that Cager, the closest Giant to the ball, was standing right there to ensure no one else got near the live ball. In the process, the ball hit his upper leg before squirting out of bounds.
All Cager had to do, given how close he was to the sideline, was put one foot out of bounds, and the Giants, who were down 10-7 at the half, would have benefitted from the penalty against the Packers and maybe had a chance to tie the game at halftime.
Heart Attack Moment
Running back Saqon Barkley picked a bad time to record his fourth career lost fumble. With the Giants up 21-16 in the fourth quarter, Barkley broke free for a 34-yard rush before stumbling and landing on the turf, the ball squirting free from his grasp. Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine recovered it at the Green Bay 14-yard line, the defender returning it 50 yards to give Love and the offense their best starting field position of the night.
The Packers took the lead for the first time since halftime when Love hit receiver Malik Heath on a 6-yard touchdown pass that was upheld to give Green Bay the 22-21 lead. Fortunately for the Giants, the two-point conversion attempt failed.
Play of the Game
DeVito connected with receiver Wan'Dale Robinson on a 32-yard strike on the game's final drive. Robisnon's catch and ability to straddle the sideline gave the Giants 1st-and-10 at the Packers' 22-yard line, setting up kicker Randy Bullock's game-winning 37-yard field goal.
What Were They Thinking?
These days in the NFL, most teams defer when they win the coin toss. Not the Packers. After winning the opening coin toss, Green Bay decided to put the ball in the hands of their previously red-hot quarterback, Jordan Love. Unfortunately for them, Love was way off this week. He finished 13 of 20 for 116 yards and an interception (59.6 rating) in the first half.
As for the Giants, who got the ball to start the second half? Although they didn't do anything initially on the opening drive, thanks to a Green Bay muffed punt, which the Giants recovered, New York got a second chance and ended up taking a 14-10 lead on Saquon Barkley's 1-yard touchdown run with 11:27 left in the quarter,
Notables
Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw his first interception in four games, the first coming in the first half when safety Jason Pinnock grabbed it . Fortunately for Love, the Giants didn't cash in on the turnover.
The Giants didn't allow any sacks for the first time this season.
Looking Ahead
The Giants head down to the House of Horrors, aka the Caesars Superdome, where they have been 5-8 in that building since its opening in August 1975. In four of those wins over the Giants, the Saints have scored at least 45 points.
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