Everything was bigger in Texas.

A week after their 507-yard, 37-point outburst against a division rival, the New York Giants fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 22-9 on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.

With both teams entering the primetime matchup in search of their first win, the Giants generated just one pass play of 25+ yards after they exploded for seven against the Cowboys alone. It wasn't for lack of trying. Russell Wilson attempted six passes of 20+ air yards on Sunday night, two of which ended in interceptions as wide receiver Malik Nabers was held to a career-low two receptions for 13 yards.

The final result was a single digit on the scoreboard for the second time in three games.

"I thought we battled defensively, had a good plan," coach Brian Daboll said in his postgame press conference. "They made a couple nice plays there in the second half. But there was a lot of things improved defensively. Gave us a chance. Thought we did a good job in the kicking game and fell short offensively. We ran the ball much better. Passing game was not good enough, particularly on third down."

THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN…

Graham Gano entered the game for one play (more on that later) and kicked a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit to seven points with 10:12 left in the fourth quarter. The Giants quickly got Kansas City to third-and-six on their ensuing possession from the Chiefs 27 and had the opportunity to turn the momentum. But that's when Patrick Mahomes found wide receiver Tyquan Thornton for 21 yards and a fresh set of downs.

Once again, the Giants got them into a third-and-long on the same drive, but Mahomes and Thornton hooked up for a 33-yard gain down to the goal line. Kareem Hunt punched it in for a touchdown on the next play to put the Chiefs ahead by 13 points with 6:03 remaining in the game. The Giants worked their way down to a first-and-goal on the next possession but turned the ball over on downs.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS

Take your pick from any play by rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who led the Giants in carries (10 for 60 yards and a touchdown) and receptions (six for 61 yards).

"Cam is a tough competitor," Daboll said. "Thought he ran hard and did a good job in the passing gaming when he got the ball in his hands. He's a good young player."

STAT OF THE GAME

The Giants converted just one third down in 10 attempts and one fourth down in four tries. They also struggled in the red zone, scoring a touchdown on one of three drives inside the 20. The Giants have a 20 percent touchdown rate in the red zone this season.

QUOTABLE

"I missed football." – left tackle Andrew Thomas said after playing for the first time since he suffered a season-ending foot injury on Oct. 13, 2024

Thomas took on more in practice each week but was ultimately ruled out for the first two games of the season. Leading up to Week 3, Thomas practiced three days in a row for the first time in his rehab process and was listed as questionable on the final injury report. He ended up starting but was on snap limit for the game (he played 28). Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick, relieved him late in the first half and played the remaining 38 snaps.

INJURY REPORT

Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffered a shoulder injury with 1:34 left in the first quarter and was initially listed as questionable to return. He was later downgraded to out for the remainder of the game. The Giants began the night with a heavy dose of the second-year running back, who touched the ball on the first five plays from scrimmage (four carries and one reception).

Speaking of early injuries, the Giants were thrown a curveball right before the opening kickoff. Kicker Graham Gano injured his groin during final warmups while the defensive starters were being introduced in the home opener. The veteran could not kick in the first half and was relegated to "a certain distance" in the second half.

The Giants' opening possession stalled at the Chiefs 28 with punter Jamie Gillan warming up on the kicking net instead of Gano. Daboll kept the offense on the field for fourth-and-three at the Chiefs 28. Wilson dropped back to pass, but it was batted down near the line of scrimmage by linebacker Nick Bolton for a turnover on downs.

Following Skattebo's touchdown, the left-footed Gillan had his first extra point attempt blocked by defensive end Ashton Gillotte. Special teams ace Gunner Olszewski assumed holding duties for Gillan, the usual holder for Gano.

The Giants did not attempt another field goal or PAT until 10:12 left in the fourth quarter, when Gano made his first appearance of the game and made a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit to seven points at the time.

STARTING OFFENSE

• TE Chris Manhertz
• LT Andrew Thomas
• LG Jon Runyan
• C John Michael Schmitz
• RG Greg Van Roten
• RT Jermaine Eluemunor
• TE Theo Johnson
• WR Malik Nabers
• WR Wan'Dale Robinson
• QB Russell Wilson
• RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

STARTING DEFENSE

• OLB Brian Burns
• DL Dexter Lawrence
• DL Roy Robertson-Harris
• OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
• ILB Bobby Okereke
• OLB Abdul Carter
• CB Cor'Dale Flott
• CB Paulson Adebo
• CB Dru Phillips
• S Tyler Nubin
• S Jevón Holland

INACTIVES

KC: WR Xavier Worthy (shoulder), CB Kristian Fulton (ankle), TE Jared Wiley, RB Elijah Mitchell, DE Michael Danna (quad), C Hunter Nourzad

NYG: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), LB Darius Muasau (concussion/eye), DL Chauncey Golston (ankle), OL Evan Neal, TE Thomas Fidone II, DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (foot), QB Jameis Winston (3rd QB)

WHAT THE LOSS MEANS FOR THE GIANTS

The Giants will look for their first win of the season against one of the league's final six unbeaten teams. The Chargers, who will be the second AFC West team to travel to MetLife Stadium in as many weeks, improved to 3-0 on Sunday with a 23-20 victory over the Denver Broncos.