Giants-Cardinals final score: New York dominated by Arizona, 26-7

The New York Giants lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 26-7, Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Giants dropped to 5-8 on the season and the Cardinals improved to 7-6.

After 11 quarters without a turnover, Daniel Jones fumbled the football on New York’s opening possession after being sacked by former Giant Markus Golden. Golden picked up the ball and returned it to the Giants' 9-yard line.

The New York defense stepped up big-time on the Cardinals’ following possession. After three stops, including a tackle by Blake Martinez at the goal line that stopped what looked like an easy touchdown for Christian Kirk, New York was faced with fourth-and-goal. Kyler Murray lobbed the ball to the right corner of the end zone to KeeSean Johnson, but James Bradberry jumped up to defend the pass, keeping the Cardinals scoreless.

Up 3-0, the Cardinals went for it on fourth-and-1 on the Giants' 41-yard line in the second quarter, and the Giants were unable to stop them this time. A successful fourth-down conversion allowed Arizona to keep the drive alive, setting up a 37-yard field goal by Mike Nugent that extended the Cardinals’ lead to 6-0.

The special teams’ struggles continued on the following kickoff when Dion Lewis fumbled the football and it was recovered by Trent Sherfield at the Giants 21-yard line. Then, on third-and-7 at the goal line, Murray connected with Dan Arnold up the middle for a touchdown to give the Cardinals their first touchdown in the game after four red-zone possessions.

The Giants caught a break when the Cardinals elected to punt the football on fourth-and-5 with 1:52 left in the half. But they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity and went three-and-out. Arizona took a 13-0 lead into the locker room.

The Cardinals kept their momentum going on their opening possession of the second half when they drove down the field for an 11-play, 77-yard scoring drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Kenyan Drake to put Arizona up, 20-0.

The Giants offense finally responded on their next possession when Jones connected with Golden Tate for a 39-yard pass that set up a one-yard touchdown run by Dion Lewis at 5:43 in the third quarter.

The Cardinals tacked on two more field goals in the fourth quarter and would hold on to win, 26-7.

First half

The Giants trailed the Cardinals, 13-0, at the half, marking the second-straight week they were held scoreless through the first half.

The Giants ran 25 first-half plays to 40 for the Cardinals, and New York held the ball for 12:17 to 17:43 for Arizona. The Giants had 58 offensive first-half yards while Arizona recorded 199.

Jones finished the half 6 of 12 for 44 yards with two fumbles, including one that was lost, and three sacks. In his first game back since suffering a hamstring injury, it was clear that Jones did not want to run the football. His timing in the pocket was also off as he missed wide-open receivers. For example, on third-and-7 in the first quarter, Jones threw an incomplete pass to Evan Engram and missed a wide-open Dion Lewis on the left side of the field.

Murray, meanwhile, was 14 of 22 for 135 yards and one touchdown. He also had five rushing attempts for 29 yards.

The Giants defense kept the team in the game despite being on the field for the majority of the half. This was no easy task as Arizona dominated the field-position battle, starting three of their seven possessions in Giants territory.

James Bradberry entered the game tied for the league-lead with 16 pass breakups. He recorded one more in the first half.

Stats

Jones was 11 of 21 for 127 yards. He was sacked six times and fumbled three times, losing one.

Gallman had 12 rushing attempts for 57 yards.

Sterling Shepard tallied five receptions for 35 yards.

Highlights

What’s next?

The Giants will host Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns next Sunday, Nov. 20 at MetLife Stadium. The game is at 8:20 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC.