Instant takeaways from the NY Giants heartbreaking walk-off loss to the Vikings

Heartbreak doesn’t even begin to describe this one for the NY Giants. This team faught so hard, and looked ready to try and record a win on the road vs. this mighty Vikings team, but they had to walk off the field seeing Greg Joseph kick a 61-yard, walk-off field goal. Seriously, come on. How the heck did that ball go through the posts?

The Giants pulled off some magic to tie this one at 24-24, but the Vikings and Kirk Cousins were able to get the ball in Joseph territory, ruining Christmas for a lot of people out there. Here’s our four takeaways from the action.

4. Isaiah Hodgins was nothing short of fantastic

We don’t have enough positive things to say about young wideout Isaiah Hodgins. Seriously, this kid continues to impress each week and he stepped up in a major way for quarterback Daniel Jones on Saturday. Just about everyone figured Darius Slayton would be the No. 1 option for the offense, but it was Hodgins who stole the show.

In the first half alone, Hodgins hauled in five balls for 63 yards and a touchdown. He was matched up with Patick Peterson often, but didn’t let the veteran get in his head. Hodgins recorded some big-time catches in that matchup, silencing Peterson when he tried to get in his head. Nope, not going to happen.

What a stud. Keep in mind that Hodgins was released by the Bills and then claimed off waivers by the Giants. About 90 percent of NY supporters had never even heard of this guy before the announcement was made. Now, no one will be able to forget the kind of impact he’s made on Big Blue for 2022. Go ahead and give him a new deal in the offseason. He’s earned it. In the loss, he was most definitely a bright spot.

3. Plenty of worry on Azeez Ojulari

Seriously, another injury for the Giants? What else is new? This time, it’s pass-rusher Azeez 0julari, who unfortunately has been forced to miss most of the season becaue he can’t stay healthy. In the first half, Ojulari looked strong and even posted a sack of Kirk Cousins. We loved to see that from No. 51.

However, during the Giants scoring drive after that, Ojulari was in a ton of pain and he had to be carted off the field and back to the locker room. Ojulari was listed as questionable to return with that bum ankle, but then it was later announced that he wouldn’t be able to return. The G-Men can’t afford to have him miss extended time.

Ojulari has been a monster in the trenches for NY, posting 5.5 sacks in six games. Him and Kayvon Thibodeaux putting pressure on the outside has been so great to see for this team. Now, we’re going to have to wait and see what happens with that ankle. Everyone will be keeping their fingers crossed this is nothing too serious for Ojulari.

2. What could have been if Cor’Dale Flott caught the ball

Late in the third quarter, Cor’Dale Flott appeared to record his best play of the season, intercepting a Cousins pass. The Giants went wild in celebration, but things didn’t last long. That’s because the play was reviewed. After the replay, the officials decided that the ball hit the turf and that Minnesota would get the ball back.

A quick look on Twitter shows that Giants fans think the team was robbed of a turnover. At the end of the day, though, the ball hit the turf. You can argue both ways until the sun goes out, but the guys in stripes saw enough to overturn things. Thanks to that second chance on the drive, Minnesota was able to keep going and things ended with another T.J. Hockenson touchdown.

That’s just frustrating. Had Flott secured the ball and not let it hit the ground, then Hockenson wouldn’t have made so many of his fantasy football owners so damn happy. Flott has to do a better job of securing the ball. At the same time, we didn’t see indisputable evidence to overturn the call either. That play alone really stung for so many people watching this game while donning blue.

1. Late mistakes haunted the Giants in Saturday’s loss

Once again, there was a victory to be had for the Giants, but they totally blew it late in the action. First, Jones had been so good protecting the ball and not throwing picks. With the Giants driving in the final session, he tried going to Hodgins, but was picked by Peterson. That was some sweet revenge for Peterson, which broke our hearts.

Then later on in the quarter, the Giants were facing third down and Jones put the ball right on the money for Richie James. James had it for a split second, then shockingly he didn’t. This is one of the worst drops you’ll see, and not one an NFL receiver should be making. I mean, come on, Richie, you’ve got to hang on.

That’s unacceptable from James, who has driven people crazy more than once this season. The Giants settled for a field goal to make things 17-16. They then got the ball back looking to take the lead, but had to send out Jamie Gillan to punt. His punt was blocked, and Cousins hit Justin Jefferson for a huge score on the ensuing drive to put the Vikings up 24-16.

The Giants were able to tie things up at 24-24 thanks to a tremendous scoring drive, capped by a Saquon Barkley touchdown run and two-point conversion from Jones to Daniel Bellinger. However, the Vikings got the ball back with just enough time to set up a game-winning field goal with only a few seconds left on the clock. Joseph from 61…. it’s good.

This loss is tough to swallow, as others from earlier this campaign, as NY truly had a chance to record a statement win on the road. Now, it’s back to the drawing board vs. the Colts in Week 17, where the Giants will hope to lock in their postseason berth at MetLife Stadium. With the Seahawks and Lions losing, they could have done so in Minnesota. They’ll have to think about that on the flight home.

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