Deonte Banks returns interception for touchdown as time expires to seal Giants' win over Cardinals

The Giants got the full Jameis Winston experience Sunday, but it was another Giant who became the hero of the day.

Deonte Banks’ pass interference penalty was redeemed by his interception return for a touchdown as time expired in the Giants’ 36-24 win at MetLife Stadium.

Banks’ penalty on Marvin Harrison Jr. had the Cardinals at the Giants’ 4-yard line with 27 seconds left. The Giants (3-1) stopped Arizona (1-3) on three straight plays and then on fourth down, Banks intercepted Jacoby Brissett and ran 98 yards for the score as time expired.

For the second straight week, the defense sealed a win with a takeaway. It capped a strong day for the defense and Winston winning his second consecutive start.

Winston (18-for-29, 250 yards) led the offense on a wild ride that drew boos and cheers at different points. They ended a drought of 26 straight drives without a touchdown yet committed three takeaways, including two interceptions by Winston.

Winston’s three touchdown passes overcame his turnovers. He threw them to three different targets in Malachi Fields, Malik Nabers and Theo Johnson.

The defense had its first multi-sack game of the season with two after having just one sack through three games. They were also better at getting pressure on Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

For the second straight game, rookie linebacker Arvell Reese had an impact. Reese had a hit on Brissett that forced an interception by Greg Newsome. Reese also recorded his first NFL takeaway with an interception in the second quarter.

After the offense was jeered after consecutive three-and-outs, Reese led another defensive stand by deflecting a pass a the line of scrimmage on second down. On third down, the defense made a stop and the offense finally found life.

Winston connected with Fields for a 12-yard touchdown. It was Fields’ first career touchdown and the Giants’ first in 10 quarters. They wouldn’t wait long for a second after Reese caught a deflected pass by defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

Two plays later, Winston found Nabers down the middle for a 25-yard touchdown and a 19-14 lead. For Nabers, it was his first touchdown post knee surgery last year and first since Week Two last season in Dallas.

Nabers also had his first 100-yard game of the season with 112 yards on six catches. He caught a 39-yard pass on Winston’s second throw of the day and appeared to re-aggravate his right shoulder injury from Week 2.

However, he popped up and returned two plays later to catch a third-down conversion.

For the first time since he took over for Jaxson Dart, Winston had the passing attack looking somewhat explosive. Nabers caught a 28-yard pass in the third quarter and Likely had a 34-yard catch in the fourth.

But Winston also showed his tendency for mistakes. His last pass of the first half was picked off by Denzel Burke. The Cardinals turned that into points with Chad Ryland making a 60-yard field goal with no time left before the half.

Winston’s next pass was intercepted by Budda Baker on the third play of the third quarter. Jacoby Brissett marched the Cardinals on a 37-yard drive ending with a touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins.

Things looked rough early after the Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first two drives. On the second, the Cardinals ran five straight run plays, ending with Tyler Allgeier racing away for a 22-yard touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Giants settled for field goals on their first two drives. Zvada converted both from 39 and 50 yards, respectively.

The defense once again came through in the fourth quarter. After Najee Harris’s fumble in Cardinals’ territory, they forced a three-and-out with Abdul Carter delivering quarterback hits on consecutive plays to end the drive.

The Giants couldn’t capitalize as they were forced to punt. But Jordan Stout’s 47-yard punt pinned the Cardinals at their 3-yard line. The defense responded with a three-and-out and got great field position when Charlie Jones fair caught the punt at the 50-yard line.

Zvada’s 52-yard field goal provided cushion with 2:11 left and Banks’ interception allowed the Giants to exhale with a walk-off celebration in the end zone.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.