The New York Giants didn’t just snap their 10-game losing streak—they delivered a body blow that left the Indianapolis Colts reeling.
In a stunning 45-33 win, the Giants not only ended their own misery but sent the Colts spiraling into full-on chaos, crushing their playoff hopes in the process. For a team that was still clinging to postseason dreams, the Giants turned Week 17 into an embarrassing wake-up call.
“We sh*t the bed,” Colts star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner admitted bluntly. “Another year. It’s frustrating… This offseason, there’s going to be some changes, and sometimes those changes are going to be uncomfortable for people. There will be uncomfortable conversations.”
#Colts DT DeForest Buckner today: "I'm gonna be honest: We sh*t the bed. Another year. It's frustrating. ... This offseason, there's going to be some changes, and sometimes those changes are going to be uncomfortable for people. There will be uncomfortable conversations." pic.twitter.com/g0v3zgUUBj
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024
Translation: the Giants didn’t just beat the Colts—they broke them.
DeForest Buckner blasts Colts after the Giants obliterate their playoff hopes
Drew Lock—yes, resident backup QB Drew Lock—turned in a game for the ages (out there looking like Eli Manning), torching the Colts for four touchdowns through the air, another on the ground, and a perfect 155.3 passer rating. Rookie wideout Malik Nabers was unguardable, racking up 171 yards and two scores in what felt like his official breakout moment.
This was a Giants offense that had been allergic to scoring points all season. The same offense ranked dead last in scoring. But against the Colts, it looked unstoppable. When the dust settled, the Giants had handed Indianapolis its worst defensive meltdown against Big Blue since 1950.
For Buckner, the loss was more than just another bad game—it was a complete system failure. “It was definitely on us,” he said, calling out his team for repeatedly “shooting ourselves in the foot.” Whether it was missed opportunities in one-score games, blown assignments, or just a lack of composure in critical moments, Buckner didn’t hold back on the Colts’ many shortcomings.
“We’re not getting over that hump,” he continued. “It’s the details that we’re missing, and that’s hurting us.”
The Giants’ win didn’t just crush the Colts on the field—it exposed them. Head coach Shane Steichen is now 16-17 in two seasons, with fans and analysts alike questioning if he’s the right guy to lead this team forward. Running back Jonathan Taylor didn’t mince words, either, saying, “The standard has to be raised,” and pointing out that simply making the playoffs should be a given, not a goal.
The Colts added another chapter to their late-season collapse saga, this time at the hands of the Giants—a small bright spot for Giants fans in an otherwise forgettable season.
In 2023, the Colts fell apart down the stretch when they were in control of their playoff destiny. This year, they managed to one-up that disappointment, losing to a Giants team that hadn’t hit 30 points in a single game all season.
Meanwhile, the Giants finally (maybe) have something to celebrate. Nabers’ electrifying performance is a rare bright spot in a season full of darkness. For New York fans, it’s a glimpse of hope for 2025. For Indianapolis, it’s the beginning of what promises to be a long, uncomfortable offseason.
As Buckner put it, “Sometimes those changes are going to be uncomfortable.” After what the Giants just did to them, it’s hard to imagine it any other way.