Sunday at MetLife Stadium never settled into anything predictable. The Arizona Cardinals jumped ahead 14-3, the New York Giants answered with a burst that erased a long touchdown drought, and the lead changed hands again before Deonte Banks intercepted Jacoby Brissett on fourth-and-goal and returned it 98 yards as time expired.
Jameis Winston’s three touchdown passes and two interceptions supplied the chaos; Banks supplied the finish.
The 36-24 win moved New York to 3-1 and, with the Philadelphia Eagles falling to the Los Angeles Rams, into sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Here's a look at some studs and duds from Sunday's 36-24 win over the Cardinals.
Stud: LB Arvell Reese
Another standout performance from the rookie, who lined up all over the field,
as head coach John Harbaugh hinted earlier this week. He led the Giants with nine solo tackles and added three defensed passes, including an interception on a tipped pass by Shelby Harris.
Dud: OL John Michael Schmitz
Schmitz missed practice Friday because of the birth of his first child and did not start in this game. In fact, Bryan Hudson played the entire game at center, leading observers to question whether this could be more than a temporary situation. The Giants have been seeking alternatives at center all year, dating back to free agency and the draft. Schmitz is in the final year of his rookie contract and isn't likely to get an extension from Big Blue.
Stud: WR Malik Nabers
Nabers is back and in a big way. He caught six passes for 112 yards, which included a 25-yard touchdown grab. He left the game after landing hard on his right shoulder, but returned the next series.
Dud: PR Braxton Berrios
Berrios' days as the Giants' punt returner could be ending after another flat performance. He had two returns for -2 yards on the day before being ruled out with a foot injury. Charlie Jones replaced him, had two returns for 29 yards, and may have won the job going forward.
Stud: K Dominic Zvada
The rain wasn't a problem for the rookie, who continued the strong start to his NFL career with a three-for-three performance. Zvada hit field goals from 39, 50, and 52 yards and made his only PAT attempt.
Stud: LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds made nine tackles on the day (eight solo) and had a sack and two tackles for a loss. He and Reese form a formidable duo in the middle of the Giants' defense.
Stud: CB Deonte Banks
Banks got flagged for what appeared to be a fatal pass interference call late in the game, but made up for it by picking off a Jacoby Brissett pass on the Giants' two-yard line and returning it for a touchdown with no time remaining to clinch the Giants' victory. Banks also had three other pass defenses on the afternoon.
Studly Dud: QB Jameis Winston
It was a typical Jameis Winston performance. Tension, release. Tension, release. Repeat. Winston passed for 250 yards on 18-of-29 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Some rust and decision issues persisted, and you have to wonder how long the Giants plan to ride this rollercoaster. The Giants had all three quarterbacks active for this game, but Harbaugh did not cave to the temptation of replacing Winston.
Other Studs:
- TE Isaiah Likely
- DT Shelby Harris
- DT C.J. Okoye
- LB Abdul Carter
- CB Greg Newsome II
- S Jevon Holland
- P Jordan Stout
Other Duds
- RB Najee Harris
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Studs and duds from New York Giants' Week 4 win over Arizona Cardinals
