EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Arizona Cardinals were four yards from a possible go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds Sunday. Instead, the game ended with a New York Giants defender running the other way.
Cornerback Deonte Banks intercepted Jacoby Brissett on fourth down and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown as time expired, sealing the Giants’ 36-24 win at MetLife Stadium, according to the Associated Press and the teams’ official sites. Arizona (1-3) has now lost three straight since winning Mike LaFleur’s head-coaching debut at the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
How the ending unfolded
Trailing 30-24, the Cardinals moved inside the New York 5 when Marvin Harrison Jr. drew a pass interference penalty with 22 seconds left that put the ball at the 4, azcardinals.com reported. Three straight passes fell incomplete. On fourth down, Brissett looked for tight end Trey McBride, and Banks — who had been flagged for the interference a few plays earlier — stepped in front of the throw.
It was a sharp reversal from the opening quarter. Arizona jumped out 14-3 behind a Brissett touchdown pass to Harrison and a Tyler Allgeier touchdown run, with rookie Jeremiyah Love and Allgeier controlling the ground game. After that, the Cardinals managed just 138 yards the rest of the way, the AP reported. By quarter, Arizona scored 14, 3, 7 and 0 points; New York put up 3, 16, 8 and 9.
Brissett finished 21 of 35 with three interceptions. Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese, the No. 5 overall pick, picked him off for his first NFL interception and added nine tackles. “We kind of got in our own way,” Brissett told reporters afterward, adding that a team can’t win with three interceptions.
Jameis Winston, starting for the injured Jaxson Dart, completed 18 of 29 passes for 250 yards with three touchdowns — to Malachi Fields, Malik Nabers and Theo Johnson — and two interceptions. Nabers caught six passes for 112 yards. The Giants improved to 3-1 and took sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
“This one is going to sting,” LaFleur said, according to the AP, adding that he could have done some things better and that the team has to get right back to work.
Injuries pile up
Arizona’s injury list grew. Safety Andrew Wingard was carted off with a knee injury, right guard Isaiah Adams hurt an ankle, tight end Hunter Long left with a knee injury, and left tackle Paris Johnson walked off late holding his left arm, the AP reported. Updates are expected when LaFleur meets with reporters Monday.
The Cardinals return to State Farm Stadium next Sunday to host the Detroit Lions.
Photo: rawpixel (CC0 public domain). Generic stadium photo; not from Sunday’s game.