Notes & Stats: Recapping a wild Week 4 win

Oct 03, 2021 at 07:15 PM

Michael Eisen

Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor

Notes and statistics from the Giants' 27-21 overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome:

*Saquon Barkley scored on a six-yard run with 5:06 elapsed in overtime to enable the Giants to improve to 1-3 this season. It was the Giants' first victory in New Orleans since Dec. 20, 1993. They had lost their five previous games in the Big Easy.

*The Giants trailed midway through the fourth quarter, 21-10. This was their first victory after overcoming a fourth-quarter deficit of at least 11 points since Sept. 16, 2012, when they trailed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-16, but rallied to win, 41-34.

*The fourth-quarter comeback victory was the Giants' first since Sept. 22, 2019 – Daniel Jones' first game as starting quarterback – when they won, 32-31, after the Buccaneers increased their lead with six minutes remaining in Tampa, 31-25.

*The Giants trailed at the end of three quarters, 14-10. This was their first victory when they were behind entering the fourth quarter since the game at Tampa Bay two years ago, when the Bucs led after three periods, 28-25. The Giants had lost their previous 16 games in which they trailed after three quarters.

*The Giants played their first overtime game of the Joe Judge era and first since Dec. 22, 2019, when they earned a 41-35 victory in Washington. Their regular-season overtime record improved to 23-16-2 since the format was instituted in 1974. They are 13-6-2 in overtime road games.

*The Giants' 27 points tied their highest total in a victory under Judge. They defeated Philadelphia, 27-17, on Nov. 15, 2020. The Giants had scored 34 and 29 points in losses the last two seasons.

*The Giants gained 485 yards, their highest total since they finished with 552 in the overtime victory in Washington two years ago. The previous high since Judge became head coach and Jason Garrett the offensive coordinator was 391 yards in the last-second loss at Washington on Sept. 16.

*The Giants' 402 net passing yards is the ninth-highest total in franchise history and the highest since they threw for 429 yards in a loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 17, 2017. It was their highest passing yardage total in a victory since they threw for 441 yards vs. San Francisco on Oct.11, 2015. The previous high in the Judge era was 262 yards in his head coaching debut, against Pittsburgh on Sept. 14. 2020.

*Daniel Jones was credited with his third career victory after the Giants trailed or were tied in the fourth quarter. His previous two were on Sept. 22 and Dec. 22, 2019, when he was a rookie.

*Jones completed 28 of 40 passes for 402 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 108.5. The 402 yards are a career high. His previous best was 352 yards at Washington on Dec. 22, 2019. It was Jones' – and the Giants' - first 300-yard game since he threw for 301 yards vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 29, 2019.

*The 400-yard game was the first by a Giants quarterback since Eli Manning threw for 434 yards vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 17, 2017, and the first in a victory since Manning passed for 403 yards against Baltimore on Oct. 16, 2016.

*Jones' 28 completions tied the career high he set three times, all in 2019 – at Detroit on Oct. 27, at Washington on Dec. 22 and vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 29.

*Jones' touchdown passes were 52 yards to John Ross and 54 yards to Saquon Barkley. This is the first game in which the Giants threw two touchdown passes of 50+ yards since Dec. 17, 2017, when Eli Manning had scoring throws of 67 yards to Sterling Shepard and 57 yards to Tavarres King.

*Safety Marcus Williams intercepted Jones' long pass at the Saints' two-yard line on the final play of the first half, ending Jones' streak of consecutive passes without throwing a pick at 124. Williams' interception on a Hail Mary was the first thrown by Jones this season and the first since the 2020 season finale, when Dallas' Donovan Wilson secured one of his passes. Jones has thrown just two interceptions in his last 331 attempts, covering more than 10 games.

*Jones rushed for 27 yards to increase his team-leading total to 188 yards. Barkley has rushed for 186 yards. Jones also ran for a two-point conversion for the second week in a row.

*Barkley rushed for 52 yards and the game-winning touchdown on 13 carries and caught five passes for 74 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown. This was the fourth time Barkley scored rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same game. He also did it vs. Tampa Bay on Nov. 18, 2018, and at Philadelphia on Nov. 25, 2018, and at Washington Sept. 22, 2019.

*Barkley's 126 yards from scrimmage marked his 21st game with more than 100 yards and his first since he had 117 against Philadelphia on Dec. 29, 2019.

*Kenny Golladay and rookie Kadarius Toney led the Giants with six receptions apiece. Golladay gained 116 yards and Toney had 78. Golladay had the team's second 100-yard game of the season; Sterling Shepard finished with 113 yards in the season opener vs. Denver. Golladay's 116 yards are the highest total by a Giants player since tight end Evan Engram had 129 yards at Cincinnati last Nov. 29 and the highest by a wide receiver since Darius Slayton had 129 at Dallas on Oct 11, 2020.

*The 100-yard game was the 11th of Golladay's career and his first since he gained 114 yards for Detroit at Atlanta on Oct. 25, 2020. It was Golladay's highest receiving yardage total since he had a career-high 158 yards vs. Chicago on Nov. 28, 2019.

*Toney, the Giants' 2021 first-round draft choice, made his first career start. He totaled four catches for 14 yards in the first three games, figures he easily exceeded Sunday.

*The Giants scored their first touchdown on a 52-yard pass from Jones to Ross with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter. Ross fumbled the ball and recovered it in the end zone. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the NFL's official statistician, if a receiver recovers his own fumble in that scenario, it is a receiving touchdown, not a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

*The touchdown pass was the fourth-longest of Jones' career. He threw a 75-yard score to Engram in his first career start on Sept 22, 2019, at Tampa Bay and 64- and 61-yarders to Golden Tate on Oct. 10, 2019, at New England and Nov. 10, 2019, at the Jets, respectively.

*The reception was Ross' first for the Giants. An offseason free agent acquisition, Ross spent the first three weeks of the season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He returned to practice last week and was added to the active roster yesterday.

*Ross, who spent his first four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, scored his 11th career touchdown and first since Sept. 15, 2019, when he caught a 66-yard scoring pass from Andy Dalton. He caught a 55-yard touchdown pass the previous week at Seattle. Those are the two longest receptions of his career. Ross' touchdown catch in New Orleans Sunday is his third.

*Ross had the longest first reception by a player in a Giants uniform since running back Paul Perkins had a 67-yard catch-and-run at Minnesota on Oct. 3, 2016 – exactly five years ago. Ross was the first Giants player whose first catch with the team was a touchdown of at least 52 yards since running back David Meggett's 62-yarder at Washington on Sept. 11, 1989. The last Giants receiver whose first touchdown with the team was 50+ yards was Golden Tate's 64-yard catch from Jones at New England on Oct. 10, 2019.

*Matt Skura made his Giants debut with his first career start at left guard. His previous 52 starts – 51 in the regular season and one in the postseason - included 37 at center, 12 at right guard and three as a blocking tight end, all for the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants signed Skura to their practice squad on Sept. 2 and to the active roster on Sept. 16. He was in uniform last week but did not play against the Falcons.

*Skura was the Giants' fourth starting left guard in as many games, joining Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates and Ben Bredeson. Each of those players suffered injuries and Lemieux and Gates are out for the season.

*Safety Logan Ryan and linebacker Tae Crowder – who took over defensive play-calling duties because Blake Martinez is out for the season – led the Giants with nine tackles (four solo).

*James Bradberry intercepted a Taysom Hill pass in the third quarter. He has both Giants interceptions this season.

*Graham Gano pulled a 35-yard field goal attempt wide left with 13:15 remaining in the second quarter, ending his Giants-record streak of successful attempts at 37 in a row. That tied Gano with Seattle's Jason Myers for the fourth-longest streak in history; Myers' run ended last week, when he missed a 44-yard attempt in Minnesota.

*Gano's unsuccessful attempt was his first since Sept. 20, 2020, when he missed a 57-yard try on the final play of the first half in Chicago – also wide left. The 35-yarder was his shortest miss since Nov. 18, 2018, when his 34-yard attempt for Carolina at Detroit hit the left upright.

*Gano kicked field goals of 23 and 48 yards, the latter tying the game with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

*New Orleans' Taysom Hill rushed for a pair of eight-yard touchdowns. He is the first opposing quarterback to rush for two touchdowns against the Giants since Tom Brady on Oct. 10, 2019 (two one-yard runs).

*Saints running back Alvin Kamara finished with 26 carries for 120 yards, the highest total by a Giants opponent since Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott ran for 139 yards on Nov. 4, 2019. Kamara is the second back to exceed 100 yards vs. the Giants this season. Denver's Melvin Gordon III ran for 101 yards in the season opener.

*The Giants' inactive players were wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton – both with right hamstring injuries, guard Ben Bredeson (hand), cornerbacks Sam Beal and Josh Jackson, and defensive end Raymond Johnson III. Johnson, the only rookie free agent to make the roster, played in each of the first three games.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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CB James Bradberry

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P Riley Dixon

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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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WR John Ross

Ross flashed his speed on a 52-yard touchdown reception in his first game since being activated from injured reserve.

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) celebrates his touchdown reception with wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) and free safety Marcus Williams try to tackle New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) on a touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball and is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) reacts with punter Riley Dixon (9) after a missed field goal during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) celebrates after a touchdown catch with running back Saquon Barkley (26) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) catches the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates after a touchdown throw during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates after a touchdown throw with tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a field goal as punter Riley Dixon (9) holds during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gano missed on the kick. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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QB Daniel Jones

Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards while completing 70.0 percent of his passes.

(Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) scrambles during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares for the snap during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Logan Bowles/NFL)

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WR Kadarius Toney

The first-round pick showed his elusiveness as he recorded 78 yards on six catches.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) calls out between plays in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries against New Orleans Saints linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon (90) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) takes a break on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28 carries in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks to umpire Carl Paganelli (124) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries against New Orleans Saints strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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RB Saquon Barkley

Barkley had 126 yards from scrimmage and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime.

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates his two-point conversion with center Billy Price in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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CB James Bradberry

Bradberry notched his second interception of the season.

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a field goal to tie the game near the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime, in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores on a touchdown reception against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants holder Riley Dixon (9) congratulates kicker Graham Gano (5) after making a field goal to tie the game near the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime, in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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K Graham Gano

While Gano's streak ended, another began. Gano kicked a 48-yarder to tie the game before the end of regulation after missing his first attempt in more than a year.

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown in overtime to defeat the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21.(AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown against New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle to win in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley carries for a touchdown against New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (99) to defeat the Saints in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21.(AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown in overtime with wide receiver Kadarius Toney to defeat the New Orleans Saints 27-21, during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley carries for a touchdown to defeat the New Orleans Saints in overtime during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. The Giants won 27-21. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown in overtime with wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) to defeat the New Orleans Saints 27-21, during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

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