EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants broke a franchise-record 10-game losing streak with a 45-33 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, marking their first win at home this season. Although this triumph didn’t ultimately redeem the Giants’ challenging season, it did put an end to the Colts’ faint postseason aspirations while allowing New York to leave the field with smiles for the first time in months. This win, however, means the Giants no longer hold the top overall pick for the upcoming draft, which could lead to significant changes within the franchise.
Head coach Brian Daboll expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, especially as they had faced eight consecutive losses at MetLife Stadium. “These players work hard every day and maintain a positive attitude, which is commendable,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy during this losing streak, but I’m proud of their character and happy for them today.”
Drew Lock was instrumental in the victory, throwing four touchdown passes and contributing with a rushing touchdown. The quarterback completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards, displaying marked improvement following his previous game’s performance against Atlanta, where he struggled with two pick-6s. He connected with Malik Nabers for two touchdowns, covering 31 and 59 yards, while also passing to Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson for additional scores, leading to the Giants’ first victory since October 6.
“This feeling of victory is hard to forget, and it’s great to have it back,” said Slayton. In addition, Ihmir Smith-Marsette made a significant impact with a 100-yard return on the kickoff during the second half, helping the team set a new high-point total for the season despite having one of the league’s least effective offenses.
For the Colts, Jonathan Taylor scored on runs of 3 and 26 yards, while Joe Flacco, stepping in for an injured Anthony Richardson, threw two touchdown passes to Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman, bringing Indianapolis within just two points of the Giants in the fourth quarter. Lock’s 5-yard rushing touchdown finalized a nine-play, 70-yard drive, solidifying the win for New York.
Nabers had an outstanding performance, finishing with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards, showcasing why he was selected in the draft. “He’s proven to be a valuable player this season,” Daboll noted. Flacco completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards but was intercepted twice, with one interception coming just after Lock’s touchdown. Meanwhile, Taylor, who had an impressive 218 yards in the previous week, recorded 125 yards against New York.
Entering the matchup, the Colts needed to win their last two games to have a chance at postseason play. “We had a goal for today and failed to meet it,” said Flacco. The Colts have not made the playoffs since 2020, when they achieved an 11-5 record. Colts coach Shane Steichen emphasized the need for a complete game, noting the team’s struggles throughout the season.
In terms of rookies, Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy established a noteworthy milestone, becoming the third rookie duo to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same campaign, following in the footsteps of Reggie Bush and Marques Colston in 2006.
Injury reports indicated that Richardson was inactive due to foot and back issues, while the Giants were forced to rule out defensive lineman Armon Watts due to a knee injury.
Looking ahead, the Colts will conclude the regular season by hosting Jacksonville next Sunday, while the Giants will travel to Philadelphia to face Saquon Barkley and the Eagles.
