Deonte Banks gave the Giants a wild finish Sunday, and he also reminded everyone why cornerback can be such a maddening position to judge.
With New York clinging to a six-point lead, Banks was flagged for pass interference and suddenly Arizona had the ball at the Giants’ four-yard line with 22 seconds left. The Cardinals still couldn’t finish the job.
Three straight incompletions pushed the game to fourth-and-goal, and Jacoby Brissett went right back at Banks. This time, Banks made the play, snagging the ball at the two and racing 98 yards for the touchdown that sealed a 36-24 win.
That last snap will be the one people remember, and it should be. But it only tells part of the story.
The penalty nearly flipped the game, yet Banks wasn’t just a late hero who stumbled into redemption. He had been active all afternoon, even against a Cardinals offense that kept hanging around.
Banks finished with four passes defensed and four tackles. One of those breakups came during that critical goal-line stand before the interception. After the flag, he stayed engaged and kept competing.
That’s why one game like this doesn’t settle anything about his coverage. Cornerback doesn’t work in straight lines.
Still, it would be wrong to treat Sunday as nothing more than a highlight-reel finish. Four pass breakups matter, and the way Banks responded after the penalty showed a player who stayed locked in instead of unraveling.
The Giants are 3-1, and their defense has already delivered some of the team’s biggest moments. Arvell Reese’s growing role has helped that group, and if Banks can keep playing with this kind of edge, the secondary gets a lot harder to attack. The cleanup piece is obvious: the penalties have to come down.
The real question now is simpler than the final play was dramatic. Can Banks put together four full quarters against Arizona without needing a 98-yard bailout from his own mistake?
In Other News...
Giants Add A Receiver With Ties Fans Definitely Did Not Expect
The Giants are adding another wide receiver to the mix, signing Dontae Fleming to the practice squad after bringing him in for a visit. Fleming has spent time with the Vikings, and his path to New York comes with some unusual familiar faces, including ties to Giants players Dalen Cambre and J.J. McCarthy.
The move also adds another layer to a transaction cycle that has linked the two teams in recent days, with Minnesota signing recently released Giants player Odell Beckham Jr. to its practice squad. For New York, Fleming is a low-risk depth addition, but the connections around him make this a little more interesting than your typical roster shuffle. [Read more 🡒]
Odell Beckham Jr. Just Landed Another NFL Chance After Giants Exit
The Vikings are taking a low-risk look at Odell Beckham Jr., signing the veteran receiver to their practice squad as they try to patch together depth at a position that has been hit hard by injuries, including the absence of Justin Jefferson. Beckhams latest NFL opportunity comes not long after his release from the Giants, giving him a chance to quickly move from a familiar stop back into another contenders orbit.
What happens next is still up in the air, including whether Beckham will be available for the upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints. For a player trying to re-establish himself after leaving New York, Minnesota offers a path back into the conversation, but first he has to get through the week and show he can be more than a short-term depth answer. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Keep Sending The Same Frustrating Message About Jalin Hyatt
Braxton Berrios landing on injured reserve after the foot injury he suffered in Week 4 changes the Giants special teams picture in a hurry, with Charlie Jones expected to step in as the teams primary punt and kick returner. It is another one of those early-season roster shifts that usually creates an opening somewhere else, especially for a receiver trying to climb into the mix.
Jalin Hyatt, though, still does not appear close to being that guy. Even with Berrios out and Odell Beckham Jr. gone, the Giants remain reluctant to promote Hyatt to the active roster, a sign that his limited production since entering the league is still weighing on his standing. For a team that could use more juice on offense, the message has been frustratingly consistent. [Read more 🡒]