Giants beat 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-winning field goal attempt, Bryce Ford-Wheaton had a 60-yard return for a game-winning touchdown and the New York Giants escaped with a 29-20 road win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

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

With Seattle trailing 23-20, Jason Myers prepared for a 47-yard field goal, but Simmons blocked the attempt and Ford-Wheaton recovered it and sprinted into the end zone to give the Giants their own at 55 Seconds left to give a final lead of nine points.

Seattle (3-2) opened the scoring with a record-setting 102 yards on a fumble recovery touchdown by Rayshawn Jenkins in the first quarter, but the Giants tied the score early in the second quarter and never trailed after that .

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/LXWINjf0oB

– New York Giants (@Giants) October 6, 2024

The Giants’ offense strengthens without Nabers and Singletary

The Giants’ offense began with a disastrous first drive, but Jones stayed 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 for a touchdown by Jenkins. But the Giants weren’t deterred by the first drive.

Similar to the start of their win over the Browns, Jones and the offense came out on top, dominating time of possession, 37:22 to Seattle’s 22:38. The performance was all the more impressive because the Giants were missing two of their strongest offensive opponents. Devin Singletary (groin injury) was sidelined shortly before the game, while Malik Nabers (concussion) was unable to make the trip. – Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer

Tracy and Jones speed up the Giants’ running game

Even with top running back Singletary missing, the Giants recorded their highest rushing yards of the season (175 yards). Jones was a big part of that, scoring 11 attempts for 38 yards. It was Jones’ highest carry since the Week 4 2023 matchup against Seattle.

But Tyrone Tracy Jr. stepped up and delivered his first 100-yard game of his career. Tracy finished with 18 runs. The Giants also got Eric Gray more involved in the opening drive, but that ended with the fumble in the end zone. – Carroll

DJ STARTS TO SLAYTON 🚀

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Ei9YalCAPD

– New York Giants (@Giants) October 6, 2024

Second loss in a row for Seattle

The Seahawks were beaten in all three phases. They sleepwalked through the first three quarters and played in desperation mode for most of the fourth quarter. On defense, the Seahawks couldn’t pressure Jones. When the game was on the line, New York’s special forces team was superior. Simmons’ diving block on a game-winning 47-yard 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

99 yards and a jump into the end zone…

TOUCHDOWN RAYSHAWN JENKINS! pic.twitter.com/XY4wpFXLwI

– Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 6, 2024

The Seahawks’ offense faltered early on

Seattle’s offense felt unstoppable after Week 4. That would make the Giants defense an immovable object. The Seahawks scored an offensive touchdown just under two minutes before the end of the game. Smith was the team’s leading rusher and Seattle’s two running backs had just seven carries for a total of 30 yards. Smith was sacked seven times.

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Seattle’s offense seemed off balance despite a late rally that nearly tied the game. There’s still a lot of work to be done on that side of the ball ahead of the short week when the Niners come to town on Thursday night. – Dugar

Required reading

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