The New York Giants arrived at Mercedes-Benz Stadium hoping to snap a downward spiral, but left with more franchise infamy in the wake of a 34-7 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. The loss marked New York’s 10th straight, the longest losing streak in the team’s storied history—a jarring fact that overshadowed an impressive individual milestone by rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.
Nabers Shatters Giants Rookie Reception Mark
If there was a silver lining, it was that Malik Nabers has given Giants fans at least one reason for optimism. The rookie caught seven passes for 68 yards, pushing his season total to 97 receptions. In doing so, he broke the previous franchise rookie record of 91, held jointly by Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Saquon Barkley (2018).
“We have good receivers,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said, when asked about Nabers’ role in the offense. “We try to move them around a little bit and get them in space. Malik’s been battling through some stuff, but he’s a competitor.”
Nabers stands just three catches shy of joining an exclusive NFL club—he can become the fifth rookie in league history to reach the 100-reception mark. He’s also gunning for 1,000 yards, sitting at 969 with two games left. The only other Giants rookie to accomplish that feat was Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014, who piled up 1,305 receiving yards.
Across the league, however, the rookie reception record could be rewritten twice in the same season. Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers has already reached 101 catches, inching closer to the all-time rookie record of 105 (set by Puka Nacua in 2023). Nabers hopes he can catch him, too.
Lock’s Tough Day: Two Pick-Sixes Doom Giants
Drew Lock started at quarterback for the Giants for the third time this season, but it was another rocky outing. He completed 22 of 39 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown—one that gave the Giants a temporary 7-3 lead early in the second quarter—but the optimism faded fast. Lock threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns, fueling the Falcons’ runaway victory.
- Jessie Bates III jumped a pass intended for Wan’Dale Robinson midway through the second quarter, racing 55 yards for a touchdown.
- On the second play of the third quarter, Lock’s pass to Malik Nabers was tipped by Atlanta’s Zach Harrison, and linebacker Matthew Judon snatched the ball out of the air for a 26-yard score.
“We had to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” said Daboll. “To give up 14 points on the offensive side, it’s hard to win any game.”
It’s the first time a Giants quarterback has thrown multiple pick-sixes in a game since Eli Manning in 2007. On that afternoon, Manning had three passes intercepted and returned for touchdowns by the Minnesota Vikings.
Lock offered a blunt self-assessment:
“You can’t make a bad play worse,” he said. “Flag, nothing would’ve counted—just can’t do that. Gotta keep the ball in our hands.”
Penix Jr. Delivers in First Start
Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., making his first NFL start, looked calm, poised, and elusive in the pocket. Though he didn’t throw a touchdown pass, he avoided sacks entirely and managed the game effectively.
“I’ve been preparing each and every day for this day,” Penix Jr. said. “It’s a blessing to be able to come out here and get a big-time win for the team, and the defense played a heck of a game.”
With Penix at the helm, Atlanta took advantage of the Giants’ miscues and kept the momentum on their side once they seized the lead. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris lauded Penix Jr.’s composure:
“He went out and played almost flawless football,” Morris said. “He kept everything clean for us in order to get a win.”
Tyrone Tracy’s Lone Bright Spot for Giants Offense
Running back Tyrone Tracy was a rare offensive standout, albeit in limited bursts. He had seven carries for 26 yards but managed to get open for a 2-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter—the Giants’ only trip to the end zone. It was the first receiving touchdown by a Giants running back this season. Tracy, who now has five total touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving), is tied with Nabers for the team lead.
Tracy is also climbing the Giants’ rookie rushing leaderboard. With 721 yards on the ground this year, he surpassed Eddie Price (703 in 1950) and matched Andre Williams for fourth on the franchise’s all-time rookie rushing list. Next in sight: Ron Dayne’s 770-yard mark from 2000.
Wan’Dale Robinson on the Rise
Wan’Dale Robinson quietly put together another solid game with seven catches, boosting his season total to 78. Having notched just 60 receptions in 2023, he’s on pace to blow past that figure, though his contributions weren’t enough to keep the Giants competitive in Atlanta.
Giants’ Defensive Woes Continue
Defensively, New York forced just one turnover, a goal-line interception by Cor’Dale Flott late in the first half. It was only the Giants’ third pick of the season. The defense couldn’t generate a sack against Penix Jr., marking the fourth time in seven games they’ve failed to bring down the opposing quarterback.
“We weren’t set on some plays, we couldn’t pressure them, and they controlled the game,” Daboll said. “They did a better job, obviously.”
The Falcons capitalized on short fields and defensive scores to consistently pressure the Giants. Atlanta became the second Giants opponent this year to record multiple pick-sixes in one game.
New York’s Historic Skid
The Giants have allowed 30 or more points in consecutive weeks (they fell 35-14 to Baltimore the previous Sunday). This marks another bleak chapter in a season that has gone off the rails in record-breaking fashion. The 10 straight defeats are the longest losing streak in franchise history.
“It hurts to lose,” Daboll acknowledged. “You put everything into it each week, but obviously, it’s not good enough.”
Quarterback Questions Loom
Daboll faced repeated questions about whether he considered benching Lock for Tommy DeVito:
“No, I didn’t,” Daboll replied flatly. “I let Drew battle through it.”
With two games remaining in a lost season, the head coach wouldn’t commit to a Week 17 starter, saying only that the team will “go back and watch the tape and make our decisions.”
Injury Updates and Roster Shuffle
- Veteran guard Jon Runyan Jr. remains on injured reserve (ankle), and Jake Kubas, an undrafted rookie, got the start at left guard.
- Guard Aaron Stinnie was in concussion protocol and listed inactive.
- Cornerbacks Greg Stroman, Dee Williams, Divaad Wilson, defensive lineman Casey Rogers, and QB Tim Boyle (as the third quarterback) were also inactive.
- Linebacker Micah McFadden, the team leader in tackles, left in the second quarter with a neck injury. His status going forward remains unknown.
What’s Next?
The Giants (2-12) will look to salvage anything they can from the final two games. For Daboll, the focus remains on eliminating turnovers, building continuity on a beleaguered offensive line, and gleaning signs of hope from his promising young talent—particularly the record-breaking Nabers and dual-threat Tracy.
For the Falcons (7-7), optimism reigns. Penix Jr.’s calm, confident performance in his debut has the fan base buzzing. Atlanta keeps its playoff hopes alive, and the rookie quarterback could play a pivotal role in determining whether they can secure a postseason berth.
Up Next:
- Giants: Head back home to face [Next Opponent], hoping to end the season on a positive note.
- Falcons: Prepare for a high-stakes Sunday Night Football showdown against Washington, where Penix Jr. will look to prove he’s more than a one-game wonder.
Final Word
In a challenging season for the Giants, all eyes remain on the development of their rookies—a bright spot in an otherwise dim year. Meanwhile, the Falcons are celebrating both Penix Jr.’s auspicious first start and a defense that continues to make big plays. As time runs short on the regular season, the Giants must regroup to snap a 10-game skid before heading into an offseason of looming questions and potentially seismic changes.
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