NFL Week 4: Giants Defeat Cardinals with Strong Passing and Defense

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

The New York Giants defeated the Arizona Cardinals 36-24 behind quarterback Jameis Winston’s three touchdown passes and a game-sealing 98-yard interception return by Deonte Banks. This victory moves the Giants to a 3-1 record, showcasing their resilience despite turnovers and injuries, while the Cardinals drop their third straight game amid key player losses.

The New York Giants secured a 36-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at East Rutherford, New Jersey, moving to a 3-1 record for the season. Quarterback Jameis Winston, starting in place of the injured Jaxson Dart, threw three touchdown passes despite being intercepted twice and sacked four times. Winston completed 18 of 29 passes for 250 yards, connecting with Malachi Fields, Malik Nabers, and tight end Teo Johnson for touchdowns.

After falling behind 14-3 early in the first quarter, the Giants rallied with two touchdown passes from Winston to Fields and Nabers in the final minutes of the first half. These scores followed two field goals by Giants kicker Dominic Zvada, giving New York a halftime lead. The Cardinals closed the half with a 60-yard field goal by Chad Ryland as time expired, narrowing the margin to 19-17.

Arizona regained the lead early in the third quarter with a short touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett to Elijah Higgins, putting the Cardinals ahead 24-19. However, the Cardinals managed only one more trip into Giants territory for the remainder of the game. Brissett finished with 166 passing yards, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions. Notably, the Cardinals lost starting offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. to an injury late in the game, while right guard Isaiah Adams and safety Andrew Wingard also left the contest earlier due to injuries.

Defensively, the Giants pressured Brissett effectively, sacking him twice and forcing multiple turnovers, including interceptions in key moments. Deonte Banks made a crucial impact on the final play, returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown as time expired after previously being penalized for pass interference during the Cardinals' last possession. This pick-six secured the final margin and underscored the Giants’ defensive resilience.

Malik Nabers, returning from a serious knee injury, had a standout performance with 112 yards on six receptions, more than doubling his season total. Despite J.J. McCarthy being active for New York after a recent trade acquisition, the rookie quarterback did not enter the game.

Overall, the Giants overcame early setbacks and multiple turnovers to outlast the Cardinals, who have now lost three consecutive games after a season-opening victory. The win further highlights New York’s ability to capitalize on both offensive and defensive plays while managing injuries to key personnel.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.