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Instant Analysis: Giants win classic comeback in the desert

ISAIAH-HODGINS

AT A GLANCE

The first half in Glendale unfolded like the entire game in East Rutherford a week ago. But that's why they play four quarters. In Week 2, the Giants erased a 20-point halftime deficit to the Cardinals with a 31-point outburst in the final two quarters. Graham Gano, who dealt with a right ankle injury suffered in a forgettable Week 1, made a 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds left for a 31-28 victory.

UP NEXT

The Giants (1-1) will stay in Arizona as they prepare to play two games in a five-day span. The second leg of the trip is a Thursday night matchup with the 49ers (2-0) at Levi's Stadium.

View photos from the Giants' 31-28 comeback victory over the Cardinals in Glendale.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

🏈 After their 40-point shutout loss to the Cowboys at home in Week 1, the Giants' scoreless streak extended to six quarters as they fell behind 20-0 to the Cardinals in the first half.

🏈 The first play out of the locker room was a 58-yard pass from Daniel Jones to rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner out of Tennessee. The third-round pick's first NFL catch set up a 14-yard touchdown run by Jones two plays later, giving second-half life to the Giants.

🏈 Jones completed 26 of 37 passes for 321 yards with two touchdowns, including an 11-yard strike to wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins in the end zone to tie the game with 4:25 remaining in the quarter. Earlier, Saquon Barkley brought the Giants within one possession in the fourth quarter on a dive at the pylon after a nine-yard, catch-and-run. Barkley also scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as part of a 28-point second half.

🏈 Barkley got stronger as the game went along, finishing with 17 rushes for 63 yards and the score. However, he had to be helped off the field late in the game after an awkward tackle in a pile of players.

🏈 Hyatt also sparked the game-tying drive with a 31-yard reception as the rookie finished with two catches for 89 yards.

🏈 Tight end Darren Waller showed what everyone saw all summer and hauled in six receptions for 76 yards.

🏈 Left tackle Andrew Thomas, a second-team All-Pro selection last season, injured his hamstring in the season-opening loss to Dallas last week. He stayed in the game until the second half when he was replaced by Matt Peart and then Joshua Ezeudu, who started in place of Thomas in Arizona after he was ruled out. Thomas was limited in practice this past week and was listed as questionable on the final injury report.

🏈 That wasn't the only change on the offensive line in Week 2. Marcus McKethan, a former fifth-round pick who missed all of his rookie campaign last year with a knee injury, started at right guard in place of Mark Glowinski. The veteran had started 19 games at the position dating back to last season, including two in the playoffs.

🏈 Left guard Ben Bredeson suffered a concussion midway through the third quarter and was replaced by Glowinski.

🏈 Jones' lone interception came on a tipped pass off the hands of Barkley.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

🏈 Despite him being traded to the Cardinals just three weeks ago, the Giants knew quarterback Joshua Dobbs should not be taken lightly. Fans saw why on Sunday as the former University of Tennessee standout completed 21 of 31 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown (99.9 passer rating). He also added 41 yards on three runs, including a 23-yard score.

🏈 The Cardinals gashed the Giants on the ground, averaging 5.2 yards per carry for a total of 151 yards and two touchdowns on 29 attempts. Two-time Pro Bowler James Conner led the way with 23 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown.

🏈 Safety Jason Pinnock led the Giants with 13 tackles, including three for a loss. He intercepted a pass on the ensuing drive after the Giants' first touchdown, but it was nullified by a passing interference penalty on linebacker Bobby Okereke.

🏈 Listed as doubtful heading into Sunday, outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

🏈 On Aug. 24, Isaiah Simmons, a third-year linebacker/safety, was with the Cardinals in Minnesota for joint practices with, and the final preseason game against, the Vikings when he received word he had been traded to the Giants for a 2024 seventh-round draft choice. He had two solo tackles in his first game against his former team.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

🏈 Graham Gano, who dealt with a right ankle injury suffered in a forgettable Week 1, delivered the game-winning, 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in the game.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

NYG: G Ben Bredeson (concussion)

ARI: DL Carlos Watkins (arm)

INACTIVES

NYG: T Andrew Thomas (hamstring), WR Wan'Dale Robinson (knee), CB Darnay Holmes, S Gervarrius Owens, OLB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), TE Lawrence Cager, DL Jordon Riley

ARI: S Budda Baker (hamstring), LB Josh Woods (ankle), CB Starling Thomas, OL Carter O'Donnell, OL Ilm Manning, TE Elijah Higgins, DL Leki Fotu (shoulder)

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