Perhaps the New York Giants are back to their former glory. This victory over the Green Bay Packers by a score of 27-22 was spectacular. The fact that it was accomplished despite falling behind by 14 points early on and with a team ravaged by injuries hinted at something even greater. Their reward is their finest NFL season start in 13 years.
The Giants are not the NFL’s most gifted club. They are, however, among its most persistent and persistent. Saquon Barkley, their top running back, recovered from a shoulder injury to score the game-winning touchdown, exemplifying this tenacity.
Barkley stated afterward, “It’s a wonderful beginning.” “However, we cannot become too engrossed in it. There’s a reason our record is 4-1. Because the players and coaches are setting an example. And we are discovering ways to win.”
However, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was extremely harsh in his evaluation. He stated, “Clearly, this is as disappointing as it gets for us.” “New York deserves all the credit. They outcoached and outperformed us. They desired it more than anyone else. It was a story with two parts. They embarrassed us in the second half.”
Since 2007, this was the 31st regular season game played in London; nevertheless, it was the first between two teams with winning records. Even though the Packers and Giants entered the game with odds of 3-1, the betting line revealed a different picture of their respective strengths, with the Packers being big favorites.
Early on, a script was written. The Packers led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 46-yard Mason Crosby field goal and a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Allen Lazarus.
While the Giants scored on a 48-yard field goal, the Packers went on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that finished with Rodgers faking a handoff before completing a pass to Marcedes Lewis for a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.
At this time, Packers fans were optimistic. Never before had so many cheesehead hats, which sold for £60 in the Spurs store, been seen outside of Wisconsin, and they were also making a lot of noise.
They likely anticipated that the Giants would falter. Recent vintages were sufficient. Especially with quarterback Daniel Jones nursing an ankle injury, a weak group of wide receivers, and their best player Barkley unable to participate. Instead, they made an unexpected return.
It began with a stroke of brilliance from Barkley midway through the second half, when the Giants running back took the snap directly, cut inside the stumbling Packers line, and sped down the field. By the time he was brought down, his 40-yard run had been thrilling and the Giants had momentum.
Jones lobbed the ball to Barkley, who then flipped it to Daniel Bellinger, who powered in from two yards out, as a result of a double reverse by the Giants.
The Packers scored a field goal just before halftime to make the score 20-10, but the Giants persevered. An early field goal in the second half narrowed the margin. Gary Brightwell then scored from two yards out with 10 minutes remaining and Barkley was off the field to have his injury evaluated to tie the game at 20-20. Soon later, Barkley delivered the finishing blow.
The Packers could yet launch a final drive. On the final play of the game, Rodgers had a pass knocked away by Xavier McKinney and was subsequently sacked, giving the Giants a historic and unexpected victory.
Rodgers performed admirably, completing 25 of 39 throws for 222 yards and two touchdowns. However, he was unable to demonstrate the unruffled composure that earned him consecutive MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. Davante Adams, who has since transferred to the Las Vegas Raiders, is still sorely missed.
Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, proposed on Saturday that the league may launch a European division with two franchises in London. There was unavoidable pandering to the audience. An audience of 61,024 fans watched another nail-biting NFL game for the second consecutive week.
