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Giants top Seahawks after returning blocked field goal for TD in final minute: Key takeaways

7 October 2024Last Update :
Giants top Seahawks after returning blocked field goal for TD in final minute: Key takeaways

NFL Week 5 live updates: Highlights, schedule, inactives, predictions, odds and analysis

By Charlotte Carroll, Michael-Shawn Dugar and Lauren Smith

Isaiah Simmons blocked a potential game-tying field goal attempt, Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned it 60 yards for a game-sealing touchdown and the New York Giants escaped with a 29-20 road win Sunday over the Seattle Seahawks.

New York led from early in the third quarter following a 30-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Jones to Darius Slayton and ended Seattle’s late comeback attempt in the game’s final moments.

With Seattle trailing, 23-20, Jason Myers lined up for a 47-yard field goal, but Simmons blocked the try, and Ford-Wheaton recovered it and sprinted to the end zone to give the Giants their final nine-point lead with 55 seconds left.

Seattle (3-2) opened the scoring in the first quarter on a franchise-record 102-yard fumble recovery touchdown from Rayshawn Jenkins, but the Giants tied the game early in the second quarter and never trailed after that.

Giants’ offense steps up without Nabers, Singletary

The Giants offense started with a disastrous first drive, but Jones remained poised in the pocket despite slipping and fumbling on the first snap. Jones led a 10-minute drive that ended with an end zone fumble by Eric Gray and returned 102 yards by Jenkins for a touchdown. But the Giants didn’t let the first drive deter them.

Similar to the start in their victory over the Browns, Jones and the offense powered through and dominated possession time, 37:22 to Seattle’s 22:38. The performance was even more impressive given the Giants were missing two of their most potent offensive threats. Devin Singletary (groin) was ruled out just before the game while Malik Nabers (concussion) didn’t make the trip. — Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer

Tracy, Jones pace Giants running game

Even with top running back Singletary missing, the Giants posted their highest rushing yards of the season (175 yards). Jones was a big piece of that, tallying 11 attempts for 38 yards. It was the most carries by Jones since the 2023 Week 4 matchup against Seattle.

But Tyrone Tracy Jr. stepped up, delivering his first career 100-yard game. Tracy finished with 18 carries. The Giants also got Eric Gray more involved in the opening drive but that stopped with the end zone fumble. — Carroll

Second consecutive loss for Seattle

The Seahawks were beaten in all three phases. They sleepwalked through the first three quarters and played in desperation mode most of the fourth. On defense, the Seahawks couldn’t get any pressure on Jones. With the game on the line, New York’s special teams unit was superior. Simmons’ leaping block of what would have been a 47-yard game-tying field goal led to a 60-yard touchdown for the visitors.

The Seahawks started the season with three straight wins but have since been outplayed twice in six days. — Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seahawks beat writer

Seahawks’ offense stalls early on

Seattle’s offense felt unstoppable coming out of Week 4. That would then make the Giants’ defense an immovable object. The Seahawks didn’t score an offensive touchdown until nearly two minutes were remaining in the game. Smith was the team’s leading rusher and Seattle’s two running backs only had seven carries for 30 total yards. Smith was sacked seven times.

Seattle’s offense looked out of whack despite a late rally nearly tying the game. That side of the ball has a lot to work on heading into a short week with the Niners coming to town Thursday night. — Dugar

Required reading

  • What we’ve learned about the Giants after 4 games: Is Malik Nabers being overused?
  • What I’m seeing from New York Giants: Daniel Jones succeeding by limiting negative plays
  • What I’m seeing from Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith and the offense’s sky-high ceiling
  • Seahawks’ defense won’t blame injuries for debacle, but urgent fixes are needed

(Photo of Bryce Ford-Wheaton returning the blocked field goal for a touchdown: Joe Nicholson / Imagn Images)

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