Giants Stage Historic Comeback, But Barkley’s Injury Casts Shadow
- Giants came back from a 21-point deficit to get their first win of the season.
- Saquon Barkley is seen limping to the locker room after suffering an ankle injury.
- Initial X-rays were negative. MRI is set for Monday.
The New York Giants pull off one of the franchise’s most significant come-from-behind victories against the Arizona Cardinals, but star running back Saquon Barkley’s ankle injury clouds the win.
Check out our best betting sites for the NFL
Giants Get Come From Behind Win As Saquon Barkley Suffers Injury
In a dramatic turn of events, the New York Giants rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-28 at State Farm Stadium on Sunday. While the victory evened their season record and rejuvenated a team that lost 40-0 to the Dallas Cowboys last week, concerns loom over star running back Saquon Barkley’s ankle injury.
Barkley, who scored two touchdowns in the game—one rushing and one receiving—will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his ankle injury. Although X-rays were negative, sources indicate that his ankle was swollen post-game and that he was in visible pain.
“I don’t know yet,” said Giants’ coach Brian Daboll when questioned about the extent of Barkley’s injury. The 26-year-old running back, who is playing on a revised franchise tag and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, politely declined to comment. Barkley has a history of ankle injuries, missing games in both 2019 and 2021. Any extended absence could jeopardize his contract prospects and the Giants’ season.
Despite this, the Giants’ win stands as a monumental comeback. Trailing 28-7, the team overturned the deficit, largely due to a dynamic second half led by quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, kickstarting the rally with a 58-yard pass to rookie Jalin Hyatt.
“We always remained confident,” Jones said. “I knew the opportunities would be there; I just had to execute.”
The Giants totaled an impressive 358 yards in the second half, in stark contrast to their 81 yards in the first half. “The finish that these guys had… it was good to get a win,” said Daboll.
This victory comes at a crucial time as the Giants prepare for a short week. They will remain in Arizona before traveling to San Francisco for a Thursday night showdown against the 49ers. Following that, they have an 11-day break before hosting the Seattle Seahawks in a “Monday Night Football” matchup.
For the Giants, Sunday’s win was only the third time in franchise history they’ve come back from a 21-point deficit, the previous instances being in 1945 and 1947. But as they celebrate this historic win, the cloud of Barkley’s injury and its potential impact on the season remains a pressing concern.
Betting Implications
A great comeback win for New York after coming off a devastating 40-0 loss last week to the Cowboys. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost, with Barkley leaving the game with an injury. He is by far their best offensive player and last season had 1,612 yards from scrimmage, which was seventh in the league. The Giants have seen what their offense looks like when Barkley is not on the field, and it isn’t good. They have a short turnaround as they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, who are looking like one of the better teams in the NFL. Currently, the Giants are a ten-point underdog according to DraftKings, and if Barkley is ruled out of this game, that number will increase.