DENVER — If the 2025 Giants want anyone to take them seriously, they need to stack wins. So that was the task for Brian Daboll’s team Sunday in Denver: Pull off a second straight upset — and earn more believers.
For a while, it looked like they might just do it. Then it looked like they’d find a way to lose — yet again. Then they responded with a shocking last-minute touchdown drive. And finally, they did, indeed, find a way to lose.
Shane Bowen’s defense wilted late once again, which resulted in Daboll screaming at him on the sideline and as the Giants trudged off the field after a crushing 33-32 loss.
Denver got the game-winning 39-yard field goal as time expired. It needed just 37 seconds to drive 56 yards. That immediately followed the Giants driving 65 yards in 1:14 for a Jaxson Dart touchdown dive that put them up 32-30 after a second missed extra point, which proved critical.
But they couldn’t hold that lead — just like they couldn’t hold a 19-0 fourth-quarter advantage.
This game will haunt Daboll, perhaps for years, if it contributes to him getting fired after the season. It’s hard to imagine a more gut-wrenching loss.
The Giants blew a 19-point lead — their eighth-biggest blown lead ever and their biggest since a 21-point blown lead in 2014.
The Giants pitched a shutout through three quarters. And then they allowed 33 points in the fourth quarter. Yes, 33.
How is that even possible?
The Giants took a 19-0 lead on a touchdown with 2:41 left in the third quarter. At that point, they had out-gained the now 5-2 Broncos 292 yards to 116. They led 19-0 until 14:08 remained in the game.
But the Broncos roared back as they trailed 26-8 with 10:14 remaining, going 74 yards in 5:01 to pull within 26-16 with 5:13 left.
With 2:42 left and trailing 26-23, the Broncos got the ball back at their own 32. The Giants’ defense, which had played well, needed one more stop. It didn’t happen. The Broncos needed just 51 seconds to drive 68 yards for a touchdown that put them up 30-26.
Dart responded, but it didn’t matter, as Bowen’s group collapsed again.
Still, Dart’s fourth-quarter interception led to a 19-yard touchdown drive that cut the Giants’ lead to 26-23 with 3:51 left. So it’s not like the prized rookie quarterback was totally blameless.
The Giants came to Denver riding high (and with extra rest) after the shocking Thursday night win over the Eagles in Week 6. Yet Dart was down not just receiver Malik Nabers but also receiver Darius Slayton (again) and center John Michael Schmitz. Those were big hurdles to overcome against a sharp Broncos defense.
Dart was seeking the Giants’ first winning streak since late in 2023 and their first road victory since last Oct. 6 in Seattle.
As a 7.5-point underdog in Denver, Dart also surely wanted to crack back at the Broncos. Leading up to the game, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper mocked Dart’s shiny chain and celebratory dancing.
Another Broncos defender, Nik Bonitto, tweeted this about the Giants: “I’ve never seen such [a] delusional fan base.”
And now, Giants fans’ heads will be spinning after Sunday’s fiasco, which dropped them to 2-5.
Here are our other takeaways from Sunday:
• Offensive line gets good push: The Giants’ offensive line — such a big problem for so many years — has played better lately.
And on the touchdown that appeared to ice a win Sunday, the line opened a huge hole for running back Tyrone Tracy, who ran through it for a 31-yard touchdown that extended the Giants’ lead to 19-0 with 2:41 left in the third quarter.
• Strong start on defense: The Giants’ defense thrived in the first half, after which they led 13-0, while holding the Broncos to 102 yards. Denver and quarterback Bo Nix looked lifeless offensively during the first two quarters.
Late in the half, the Broncos had first-and-goal at the 5 — but came up empty. They went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 2 — after back-to-back incomplete passes — and safety Dane Belton made a huge hit to stop receiver Courtland Sutton a yard shy of the end zone.
The Giants’ defense spent the first half flying to the ball and hitting hard. So Belton’s big tackle was a fitting moment. Belton, a backup, was in the game because Jevon Holland had exited with a knee injury.
• Jaxson Dart’s mobility: An underrated part of Dart’s mobility is his ability to slide around in the pocket and keep a play alive. The Giants’ first touchdown Sunday was a perfect example of that. They went up 7-0 with 6:54 left in the first quarter on Dart’s 44-yard pass to Daniel Bellinger, who was wide open, as the Broncos busted coverage.
But it was Dart’s ability to move around in the pocket and keep his eyes downfield that preserved the opportunity for this touchdown. Credit to Dart for not giving up on the play and just scrambling.
He completed 15 of 33 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He ran for 11 yards and a score.
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