Deonte Banks returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown on the final play as the New York Giants defeated the Arizona Cardinals 36–24 on Sunday.
New York improved to 3–1 after overcoming a 14–3 first-quarter deficit in a game that featured three lead changes and six turnovers.
Winston answers Arizona’s fast start
Jameis Winston completed 18 of 29 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns despite throwing two interceptions and taking four sacks. His touchdown passes to Malachi Fields and Malik Nabers helped New York take a 19–17 halftime lead.
Arizona moved back in front in the third quarter when Jacoby Brissett found Elijah Higgins for a 2-yard touchdown. Winston answered with an 11-yard scoring pass to Theo Johnson, and New York converted for a 27–24 lead.
Dominic Zvada’s 52-yard field goal with 2:11 remaining extended the margin to six and forced Arizona to seek a touchdown on its final possession.
Banks turns a penalty into the decisive play
Banks was called for pass interference with 22 seconds left, giving the Cardinals first-and-goal at the Giants’ 4-yard line. Brissett threw three straight incompletions before Banks intercepted the fourth-down pass and ran 98 yards as time expired.
Brissett completed 21 of 35 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Arizona rushed for 123 yards but managed only one trip into Giants territory across its final four possessions before the last drive.
New York takes the early division lead
The Giants’ three wins have all come at home. With Philadelphia falling to Los Angeles, New York ended Week 4 atop the NFC East.
Arizona dropped its third straight after winning its opener. The Cardinals also left New Jersey with injuries to several players, including tackle Paris Johnson Jr.; postgame reporting did not establish a recovery timeline.
AskNovus is following the full slate, including the Patriots’ comeback in Buffalo and the 49ers’ 24–14 win over Denver.
Sources
- Reuters game report, October 4, 2026
- New York Giants official recap, October 4, 2026
- Arizona Cardinals official recap, October 4, 2026
- NFL game center, October 4, 2026
Featured image is illustrative. Photo: Ameer Basheer/Unsplash.