The New York Giants played host to the New England Patriots on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in a matchup between two teams whose seasons have not gone as expected thus far.
On a typical late November weather day in Northern New Jersey, the NFL’s two lowest-scoring teams played as anticipated. The over/under at game time was 33.5. This game went well under that number.
Giants rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito made his first home start while reliable defensive line stalwart Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) missed the first game in his five seasons with Big Blue.
Tommy DeVito's family is hyped 😂🤌
📺: #NEvsNYG on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/1dOevJjoZZ pic.twitter.com/GOH862AQ67— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2023
Final score: Giants 10, Patriots 7
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| Giants | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| Patriots | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Keys to the game
- The Giants’ defense was excellent against the punchless Patriots’ offense, especially against the pass. Patriots quarterbacks could only muster 143 yards through the air on 21-of-35 passing.
- The Giants managed to play ‘complimentary’ football again, taking advantage of two interceptions, turning them into 10 points.
- New England was not given positive field position to start a drive all game until the final minutes when they started at the 50. Their average starting point on their first 11 drives was their own 20.
- DeVito played fairly well again, completing 17 of 25 attempts for 1919 yards and a touchdown for a 103.9 rating. He did, however, lose a fumble and get sacked six times.
It was over when...
When Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland missed a 35-yard field goal — wide left — with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Giants a 10-7 victory.
The Pats had driven 33 yards in 10 plays from the 50-yard line and were stopped on a third-and-8 on the Giants’ 17-yard line.
Players of the game
- Linebacker Bobby Okereke continued his Pro Bowl bid with eight total tackles and two passes defensed including a 55-yard interception return.
- Rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (five receptions, 109 yards) became the first Giants’ receiver in the last 19 games to record over 100 yards receiving.
- Safety Xavier McKinney stepped up with a team-high 10 tackles with two passes defensed, including an interception.
- Linebacker Jihad Ward had 1.5 sacks in the game along with five total stops.
- Linebacker Kayvon Thobodeaux had a half-sack, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and five total stops on the day.
Injuries
Rookie defensive tackle Jordon Riley, playing in just his third NFL game due to the injury to Lawrence, left the game in the second quarter with a finger injury and returned in the second half.
Linebacker Micah McFadden came off the field with a left arm injury early in the third quarter and received medical attention. He returned shortly after.
Wide receiver Darius Slayton came off the field holding his right arm in the fourth quarter. He was listed with a neck injury this week and the two could be related.
Special teamer Carter Coughlin injured his hip and was ruled out in the fourth quarter.
What's next?
Head coach Brian Daboll will hold a Zoom call with the team’s beat writers on Monday morning before general manager Joe Schoen conducts his in-season press conference at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Select players will also be made available via Zoom on Monday beginning at 11:30 before the team officially heads into their bye week.
There will be no media availability from Tuesday, November 28 through Sunday, December 3.
The Giants will return to practice on Monday, December 4.
