Giants-Saints: 5 plays that led to the 34-27 loss

J.J McCarthy nearly led the Giants to an incredible come-from-behind victory on Sunday. | Getty Images

The New York Giants once again fell into a large deficit after establishing a 10-0 lead on Sunday. A special-teams fumble by Charlie Jones swung momentum fully to the New Orleans Saints, who scored 34 unanswered points en route to a 34-27 victory. J.J. McCarthy relieved Jameis Winston, swinging momentum back to the Giants. McCarthy led three scoring drives and threw for 243 yards in less than a quarter.

Unfortunately, it was a little too late for McCarthy and the Giants. Winston didn't play well; he threw two interceptions and took two sacks. The Giants also - once again - had a nonexistent run game. McCarthy led the Giants in rushing yards on two rushes, and one of them was a loss of two yards.

The Giants' inability to establish the run has led to a one-dimensional offense tied to an arm that's historically known for throwing interceptions. McCarthy's legs could help the Giants' overall rushing attack. It's still unclear when McCarthy will assume the starting quarterback spot, but it'll likely happen soon; perhaps after the BYE week, if not in Week 7 against Houston. Here are five plays, or five sequences of plays, that were consequential and noteworthy from the Giants' Week 6 loss.

Play(s) 1: Two-minute sequence, first half

Dennard Wilson kept dialing up the pressure, and Tyler Shough was feeling the heat. The Giants defense forced a 58-yard field goal attempt after the two plays below:

Dennard Wilson is bringing the pressure ONCE AGAIN.

Tyler Shough is 1/7 for 3 yards against the blitz in the first half. New York forced a 58 yard field goal against the Saints 2 min drill. pic.twitter.com/1xGgh6WmCO

- Nick Falato (@nickfalato) October 18, 2026

New York was up a touchdown, while receiving the ball with 1:18 left in the first-half. It was a comfortable place for the Giants to be; they dictated the game and controlled New Orleans' offense, but the Giants' special teams unit faltered. Charlie Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which gave Shough the football at the Giants' 28-yard line. New York's defense still stiffened and forced a fourth-down on the two-yard line, but a BUNCH formation against man coverage led to Bryce Lance's first touchdown in the NFL:

Rookie Bryce Lance gets his first career TD

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- NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026

Chris Horton's special teams unit has played well this year, but it allowed the Saints back into the game right before halftime. Jones MUST do a better job securing the football; the momentum was seized by New Orleans after the Giants dominated for much of the first half.

Play(s) 2: J.J. McCarthy!

McCarthy relieved Winston after the veteran quarterback's second interception. It was a 34-10 game, and the Saints scored all of their points consecutively, so the Giants turned the reins over to McCarthy with 11:25 left in the game. McCarthy threw an interception on his first drive that was intended for Malachi Fields, but it was a miscommunication between the two young players. However, McCarthy then led three scoring drives and gave the Giants a legitimate opportunity to win the game in the final seconds; it was very impressive. Here are some plays from the McCarthy led Giants:

J.J. McCarthy to Malik Nabers for 46 yards pic.twitter.com/ZOOWQoy20q

- Nick Falato (@nickfalato) October 18, 2026

JJ McCarthy Final Stats

11/21 (52%)
243 passing yards (11.6 ypa)
2 rushes | 26 rushing yards (led the team)
1 TD | 1 sack | 1 INT

+0.38 EPA/play (87th %ile)
61% success rate (14/23)
+8.5% CPOE
17.2 yards average depth of completion(!) pic.twitter.com/ViwvhLjHPR

- Doug Analytics (@Doug_Analytics) October 18, 2026

J.J. McCarthy using his legs to get the first down!

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- NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026

Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushes it in for his second TD of the day!

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- NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026

Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored to start the comeback effort. It was his second touchdown of the game. McCarthy's performance will cause a serious quarterback conversation for the Giants, as they head into Houston for Week 7.

Play 3: Can someone make a tackle?

I embrace the Giants recent pressure under Dennard Wilson. But if a team is going to dial up the pressure, they MUST make tackles on the backend, and New York failed to do so on this 31-yard touchdown catch and run by Alvin Kamara:

Alvin Kamara made history on this TD

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- NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2026

Alvin Kamara TD DOTS pic.twitter.com/uUXMEb1Ulq

- Doug Analytics (@Doug_Analytics) October 18, 2026

Jason Pinnock missed the initial tackle, and Kamara cruised to a touchdown as this proved to be a blow that was too much for the Giants' defense to overcome. The defense played well in the first half, but they broke in the second half and this play took the wind out of the building.

Play(s) 4: Jameis Winston's second INT

The Saints dominated the Giants after the Jones fumble - 34 straight points! Winston received the football early in the fourth quarter and airmailed this ball to Julian Blackmon for an interception:

BLACKMON INT#Saints | : FOX pic.twitter.com/9MMtuH9lSx

- New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 18, 2026

Two plays later, Shough targeted backup cornerback Nic Jones for an easy Chris Olave touchdown that put MetLife Stadium to sleep:

Chris Olave With The Saints Touchdown To Officially Seal The Deal And He Hit Some Dance Moves After.

This Was A Good Week For New Orleans To Get A Win.

Dancing It Out. pic.twitter.com/cgK6OJjSM1

- SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 18, 2026

Play(s) 5: Fortune favored the bold

The Giants took their second possession down the field on a 12 play, 93-yard drive that ended in a 17 yard Tyrone Tracy Jr. touchdown:

Jameis Winston found Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the flat for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/XzB1EPpfz5

- Nick Falato (@nickfalato) October 18, 2026

Winston did a solid job getting his eyes to the running back as the pocket started to fracture; Winston did well to stabilize. Prior to the touchdown, the Giants faced a fourth-and-one at New Orleans' 48-yard line, and John Harbaugh decided to go for a tush-push, which was successful.