The New York Giants came into their Week 17 meeting with the Indianapolis Colts with an NFC Playoff berth in their sights and they never took their eyes off of it.
The Giants routed the decimated and downtrodden Colts, 38-10, to gain entry into the NFL postseason for the first time since 2016.
Here are some winners, losers, and in-betweens from the game.
Winners
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen: This season has been a huge success for both men in their first year with the Giants. The win guaranteed the Giants a winning record in Year 1 while also sealing a playoff spot. Considering the rebuild is basically still in the early stages, this is a huge accomplishment.
Daniel Jones: The fourth-year quarterback has more than earned a contract extension from the Giants. This game was just the latest in a season full of highlights for Jones who threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others. His performance rewarded the fantasy players who had faith in him as he was second in FFPS on both DraftKings and FanDuel in the early window on Sunday.
Landon Collins: The former All-Pro safety, who was re-signed by the Giants in early October, appears to have earned more snaps in the past two weeks and it’s paying off. He picked off a Nick Foles pass in the first half and took it 52 yards to the house. Collins is the only current player on the roster who played in the team’s last playoff game in 2016.
Richie James: It wasn’t too long ago James was in the doghouse after some ball security issues. That’s all in the past now as James logged in his second straight solid game with seven receptions for 76 yards and a score.
Isaiah Hodgins: Hodgins also played well again, reeling in four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. The in-season pick-up has now scored a touchdown in four of the Giants’ last five games.
Others: Evan Neal, Dexter Lawrence, Matt Breida
Losers
Colts Fans: Jim Irsay’s decision to blow this team up after a 3-2-1 start has perhaps been one of the worst in the NFL in recent years. Replacing head coach Frank Reich with former star player Jeff Saturday has backfired and may have set the franchise back years. This was a team that had a playoff-level roster heading into the season and now they are in NFL limbo.
Daniel Jones haters: Jones has been roasted on social media for years (hey, we even took some shots but have come around) but there is a faction of Giant fans and other haters who simply won’t admit that Jones is a quality football player.
Others: Darnay Holmes, Darius Slayton
Mixed reviews
Kayvon Thibodeaux: The rookie has been a force the last several weeks but his ‘snow angel’ celebration after sacking Nick Foles, while Foles was still writhing in pain next to him, was a bit unnerving. It’s great that Thibodeaux is producing but there is also a level of professionalism that accompanies that.
Saquon Barkley: Barkley continues to be a leader but he again was flat production-wise. He rushed 12 times for just 58 yards and caught four passes for minus-5 yards. No matter, he carries the freight for this team when it counts but his dwindling numbers aren’t going to help him much in contract negotiations.
Others: Kickoff coverage unit
