The Giants.com crew reacts to the Giants' thrilling 27-21 overtime victory in New Orleans.
John Schmeelk: You can find a detailed look at the Giants-Saints game in Five Factors, so let's go big picture here.
In the first three weeks of the season, you saw how a couple of plays in the Giants losses to Washington and Atlanta could have easily turned victory into defeat. As this game unfolded, those same kind of plays went a different direction and gave the Giants a victory.
If John Ross's fumble at the goal line takes one more quick bounce and hits the end line before he gets to it (or the Saints pursue the ball), the Giants lose possession and maybe the game. If Saquon Barkley's fumble in overtime takes a different hop towards a Saints player, the Giants never have a chance to win the game in overtime.
If a flag isn't thrown on Alex Trautman's hold on Leonard Williams on Kenny Stills' 40-yard touchdown run, the Giants likely don't win. If Taysom Hill does a better job leading Deonte Harris on his deep post one play later, the Saints probably have seven more points and the Giants lose. These are all plays the Giants had little control over but changed the game. It's true that Leonard Williams forced Trautman to hold, but no one forces the official to throw the flag.
Then, there are little plays the Giants made that changed the game. Ross hustled to get on his fumble before it went out of bounds gave the Giants a 7-0 first-quarter lead. Kenny Golladay ran through a Malcolm Jenkins tackle in the fourth quarter to convert a 3rd-and-7 and turn a short gain into a chunk play that put the Giants in field goal range put the game into overtime. Barkley gained 18 yards on a screen pass to convert a 2nd-and-14 was essential to score a winning touchdown in overtime.
These are plays that can be described as above the Xs and Os that helped the Giants win. There weren't nearly enough of these plays in the first three games of the season. Instead, the Giants were failing to make even basic plays that turned victory into defeat.
None of this is meant to in any way denigrate the Giants' win. Instead, it's meant to show how the line between winning and losing in the NFL is extremely thin. The old cliché is that every game has a half dozen to a dozen plays that determine who wins. Those big plays can be decided by skill or by luck. For the first time this season, the Giants made enough of those plays to get a victory. If the Giants find themselves on the right side of those plays next week, they could be looking at a two-game winning streak.
Check out the best photos from the New York Giants' Week 4 contest against the New Orleans Saints.
S Julian Love
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)
CB James Bradberry
P Riley Dixon
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)
WR John Ross
Ross flashed his speed on a 52-yard touchdown reception in his first game since being activated from injured reserve.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
QB Daniel Jones
Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards while completing 70.0 percent of his passes.
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)
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)
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)
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)
WR Kadarius Toney
The first-round pick showed his elusiveness as he recorded 78 yards on six catches.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley had 126 yards from scrimmage and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime.
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)
CB James Bradberry
Bradberry notched his second interception of the season.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Head Coach Joe Judge
Head Coach Joe Judge
Head Coach Joe Judge
Collin Johnson (15)
Collin Johnson (15)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Riley Dixon (9)
Evan Engram (88)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Collin Johnson (15)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Collin Johnson (15)
James Bradberry (24), Keion Crossen (31)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Logan Ryan (23), Rodarius Williams (25)
Kadarius Toney (89)
James Bradberry (24), Keion Crossen (31)
Crossen (31)
Crossen (31)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Crossen (31)
Crossen (31)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Casey Kreiter (58)
Riley Dixon (9)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Riley Dixon (9)
Logan Ryan (23)
Daniel Jones (8)
Logan Ryan (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Leonard Williams (99)
James Bradberry (24)
Carter Coughlin (52)
James Bradberry (24)
Leonard Williams (99), Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Riley Dixon (9)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Riley Dixon (9)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Matt Peart (74)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Matt Peart (74)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Matt Peart (74)
Matt Peart (74)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Evan Engram (88)
Evan Engram (88)
C.J. Board (18)
C.J. Board (18)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Collin Johnson (15)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
John Ross (12)
Collin Johnson (15)
Devontae Booker (28)
Devontae Booker (28)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Darius Slayton (86)
Darius Slayton (86)
Keion Crossen (31)
Keion Crossen (31)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Leonard Williams (99)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Leonard Williams (99)
Julian Love (20)
Dante Pettis (13)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
James Bradberry (24)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Daniel Jones (8)
James Bradberry (24)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Austin Johnson (98)
C.J. Board (18)
C.J. Board (18)
Carter Coughlin (52)
Carter Coughlin (52)
Kaden Smith (82)
Tae Crowder (48)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Tae Crowder (48)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Collin Johnson (15)
Riley Dixon (9)
Mike Glennon (2)
Matt Peart (74)
Graham Gano (5)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Mike Glennon (2)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Kenny Golladay (19)
James Bradberry (24)
James Bradberry (24)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
James Bradberry (24), Jabrill Peppers (21), Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Sterling Shepard (3)
James Bradberry (24), Jabrill Peppers (21), Sterling Shepard (3)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Logan Ryan (23)
James Bradberry (24)
Tae Crowder (48)
Will Hernandez (71)
Tae Crowder (48)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Leonard Williams (99)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Leonard Williams (99)
Leonard Williams (99)
Nate Solder (76)
Matt Peart (74)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Danny Shelton (75)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Julian Love (20)
Danny Shelton (75)
Julian Love (20)
Evan Engram (88)
C.J. Board (18)
Evan Engram (88)
Sam Beal (34)
C.J. Board (18)
Daniel Jones (8)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Carter Coughlin (52), Kaden Smith (82)
Carter Coughlin (52), Kaden Smith (82)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Niko Lalos (57)
Niko Lalos (57)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9), Casey Kreiter (58)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Dan Salomone: Saints fans were left thinking what the Giants' faithful had been asking themselves the two previous weeks: What happened? Thanks to a 21-3 run, their team was up 11 points with seven minutes to play against a winless Giants team that had not won in the Superdome since 1993. So, again, what happened? Saquon Barkley happened. The running back took a Daniel Jones pass down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown, sparking a 17-point rally that spilled into overtime. Of course, just like the losses, the outcome wasn't because of one player. All three phases got the job done as the Giants showed more than just how not to lose – they proved they can win. Now, the clock sets back to zero heading into Cowboys Week.
"I am a believer in the process," coach Joe Judge said. "I do not believe looking at the results should justify what you do. I am a believer that coming back to work every week and knowing what it takes to be successful and sticking to that plan, but also not abandoning it when you do not get the result. We look at if we completed the process correctly because that puts us in position for results. Results are the most deceiving thing in the history of mankind. If you keep focus on what's away from you and forget about the steps you need to take on the way there [to success], you'll never get to where you want to be."
Lance Medow: It wasn't easy and all pretty but the Giants found a way to rally and finish, something that had plagued the team in the first three games. The biggest difference in Sunday's contest against the Saints versus the previous three games was that New York overcame situations that usually haunted them and, for the most part, avoided a high volume of negative plays. Case in point, on what turned out to be the winning touchdown drive in overtime, the offense was called for an illegal substitution, which turned a 2nd-and-9 at the New Orleans 47 into a 2nd-and-14from the Giants 48. Mishaps like this have stalled drives; instead, the team regrouped and Saquon Barkley turned a short pass into an 18-yard gain for a first down. On the very next play, Barkley fumbled the ball but Kyle Rudolph jumped on the loose ball to salvage the possession.
The Giants were called for just three penalties in Sunday's win over New Orleans. In comparison, they committed 19 of those in the previous two games combined. Another notable stat is that they had just one negative run. New York didn't run the ball with great success, but they avoided playing behind the chains and that's a huge difference when it comes to down-and-distance. In the previous two games combined, the Giants had eight runs for negative yards and those add up.
Although the offense still struggled to walk away with touchdowns in the red zone (1-for-3), Jason Garrett's group produced eight plays of 20+ yards including a pair of 50+ yard touchdowns – and no play may have been bigger than Kenny Golladay's 28-yard reception after he forced two missed tackles on a 3rd-and-7 from the New York 38 that put Graham Gano in field goal range to tie the game at the end of regulation. It's also important to note that after a rough start and several missed tackles, the defense forced a pair of Saints punts late in the fourth. The Giants don't overcome an 11-point fourth quarter deficit unless Patrick Graham's unit gets the offense the ball back twice without giving up a score.
Giants.com hands out game balls for the team's exciting Week 4 victory over the Saints at the Superdome.
RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley had 126 yards from scrimmage and two scores, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime.
QB Daniel Jones
Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards while completing 70.0 percent of his passes.
WR Kenny Golladay
Golladay had his most productive day in a Giants uniform, recording a game-high 116 yards on six catches.
WR John Ross
Ross flashed his speed on a 52-yard touchdown reception in his first game since being activated from injured reserve.
WR Kadarius Toney
The first-round pick showed his elusiveness as he recorded 78 yards on six catches.
CB James Bradberry
Bradberry notched his second interception of the season.
DB Logan Ryan
Ryan racked up nine tackles and broke up a pass as the Giants held Sean Payton's Saints to 21 points.
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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