For Jameis Winston, his first concern wasn't his own disappointment after a stunning, 27-21 overtime loss to the Giants -- it was that of the fans.
The Caesars Superdome was finally packed, the first full-capacity game since the playoff loss to end the 2019 season against the Minnesota Vikings. That game ended similarly, though Winston wasn't on the team, with Kyle Rudolph scoring a touchdown to end it. The Giants also had Rudolph this time around, with the veteran tight end jumping on a Saquon Barkley fumble to keep the game-winning drive alive. Barkley eventually powered into the end zone for the walk-off score.
"I wish we could’ve brought [the fans] a win," Winston said. "You don’t like to lose those types of games. That’s what’d we do, we finish. That’s in our DNA. Now it just feels like a blur."
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The near-capacity crowd did its job throughout, cranking up the noise early and often. The Giants struggled to generate much offense early on, but struck with big plays that ultimately broke the Saints' back. John Ross had a 52-yard score in the second quarter, and Barkley scored from 56 yards out in the second half.
The dome never lost its energy, even as it appeared the defense's energy level waned on the second long drive by the Giants that sealed the result. New York ran 20 plays from the 2:30 mark of the game on, getting into range for a Graham Gano field goal to tie the game with just over 30 seconds remaining.
"That’s why I apologize to them," Winston said. "I was so happy to be here, so blessed to have the opportunity to play in front of our fans, and it just didn’t work out."
Winston had a solid, but not great performance. He threw for a season-high 226 yards and a touchdown, but the offense was unable to sustain a drive in the fourth quarter before the Giants drove to tie the score with just over 30 seconds remaining and force overtime. His day would've looked particularly strong had a touchdown to Kenny Still in the third quarter not been called back for holding.
His limited productivity over the first three games -- which appears to be at least somewhat a product of conservative play-calling -- has been a major topic and one that holds reasonable weight. But the Giants also deserve some credit, taking advantage of opportunities and forcing their brand of football to work for them down the stretch. Despite starting 0-3, the Giants were on the losing end of three close games, including back-to-back games lost on a last-second field goal.
“We just gotta finish," Winston said. "You have to finish as a whole unit. I have to finish better. That’s what we’re going to work on this week."
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