Tank who?
The Giants were in a position for the No. 1 overall pick and hadn’t won a game at home all year. Drew Lock was starting at quarterback for a club that was averaging just 14.3 points per game.
But none of that mattered on Sunday afternoon, as New York eliminated Indianapolis from postseason contention with a 45-33 victory.
It was unquestionably the best performance of the season for the Giants and a career day for Lock, who scored five touchdowns — throwing for four and rushing for one. He finished the day 17-of-23 for 309 yards with no turnovers — good for a 155.3 passer rating. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers also set a new single-game high in his young career with 171 yards on seven receptions with two touchdowns.
The Giants took the lead with 1:05 left in the first quarter on Lock’s 31-yard touchdown to Nabers and never looked back. While the Colts had a chance to tie the game early in the fourth quarter after Joe Flacco’s 13-yard pass to Alec Pierce, the two-point conversion failed.
Nabers then grabbed a 59-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive. Drew Lock then put the game away with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter with his 5-yard touchdown run.
New York also had a 100-yard touchdown return on the second-half kickoff.
The Giants scored at least 45 points for the first time since Nov. 1, 2015.
For the Colts, it was an embarrassing defensive performance for a club with a chance to reach the postseason.
Joe Flacco started in place of Anthony Richardson and committed three turnovers — two interceptions one lost fumble. He finished 26-of-38 for 330 yards with two touchdowns. Jonathan Taylor had 125 yards on 32 carries with two touchdowns, but fumbled the potential game-tying, two-point conversion.
The Giants hadn’t picked up three takeaways in a game all year.
With the win, New York is now not in a position to secure the No. 1 overall pick with just another loss in Week 18. With a loss next Sunday, the Patriots would secure the top pick in the 2025 draft. The Giants will face the Eagles in Week 18.
Indianapolis has now been eliminated from postseason contention with Sunday’s ugly loss — one that helps the Bengals and Dolphins. The club will finish the 2024 season at home against the Jaguars next weekend.
