Deonte Banks’ game-sealing pick-six propels Giants into place they haven’t been since 2015

More last-second defensive heroics saved the day for the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, and this time, it meant securing first place in the NFC East.

On fourth-and-goal at the Giants’ four-yard line, Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals had a chance to win the game with a touchdown and successful extra point on what would be the final play of the contest. New York, meanwhile, was trying to hang on with yet another rainy home game that needed the defense to step up and get the win.

After three straight stops, Giants head coach John Harbaugh — and everyone else pulling for New York — was hoping for one last defensive effort to get the job done and move to 3-1 on the season. Deonte Banks came through.

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Deonte Banks of the New York Giants celebrates after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 4, 2026. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 36-24. (Getty Images)

Brissett looked to Michael Wilson for the game-tying touchdown, but Banks jumped the route, securing an interception that iced the game. And the cherry on top was taking it 98 yards to the house to make it a 36-24 victory for a Giants team that has now won two straight since their loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, which was also the night Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.

With the Philadelphia Eagles’ late-game collapse to the Rams themselves in Week 4 at home, the Giants are now in first place in the NFC East with a 3-1 record. The Eagles are behind them at 2-2, while the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Houston Texans to move to 2-2 as well.

The Washington Commanders, who had to use third-string rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis after Marcus Mariota reaggravated his MCL injury in London, fell to the Indianapolis Colts to move to 1-3.

It was quite the eventful game for the Giants considering they were down 14-6 after Brissett led two touchdown drives to begin the game. But Jameis Winston, trying to put together a better showing in the rain this time after struggling through a nor’easter in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, finally found his way to the end zone in the second quarter after rookie Malachi Fields broke open on third-and-4 for a 12-yard touchdown – his first in the NFL.

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Then, after fellow Arvell Reese secured his first career interception, Winston connected with Malik Nabers for a 25-yard touchdown to make it 19-14 in the second quarter. Nabers had his breakout performance of 2026 with six receptions for 116 yards.

Jameis Winston of the New York Giants warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 4, 2026. (Getty Images)

But as we’ve seen with Winston in the past, turnovers can be an issue, and they were in this contest. On back-to-back drives – one to end the first half and one to begin the third quarter – Winston threw interceptions that set up Cardinals scores, including a go-ahead touchdown to tight end Elijah Higgins.

However, Winston’s third touchdown pass proved to be the game-winner, as the Giants responded with a 76-yard drive that ended with Theo Johnson hauling in a strike from the veteran quarterback to get their lead back.

In the end, the Giants’ defense was solid when they needed to be, and that last-second effort by the unit is proof once again that coaching clearly matters in this league. Last year, the Giants were losing those one-score games and having their fans in a whirlwind of emotions with late-game collapses.

Greg Newsome II and Arvell Reese of the New York Giants react after a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 4, 2026. (Getty Images)

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But in back-to-back games, they have done what was necessary to finish with a win in the column and put smiles on fans’ faces. Last week, it was Jevon Holland securing an interception in the end zone, and now Banks was the one celebrating after taking his pick to the house and keeping the vibes high in New York.

For the first time since November 2015, the Giants have sole possession of the division lead.

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