Heading into Sunday the Giants were on a 10-game losing streak, and if they lost vs. the Indianapolis Colts, New York would have had an 86% chance to finish with the worst record in the NFL this season (per ESPN), most likely securing them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft.
Videos by FanBuzz
However, all hopes of that happening went out the window, as the team's backup quarterback, Drew Lock, had one of the best games by any quarterback in NFL history (309 passing yards, five total touchdowns, 155.3 QBR).
Drew Lock is the biggest villain in New York.
With the #1 pick in jeopardy:
17/23
309 passing yards
5 touchdowns (!) pic.twitter.com/3ZZo7WUDJa— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 29, 2024
🚨NFL HISTORY: #Giants QB Drew Lock is the 5th player in NFL HISTORY with 300+ passing yards, 4+ passing TDs, a rush TD & a 155+ passer rating in a game.
🤯🤯🤯
Lock joins Hall of Famers Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Josh Allen, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
INSANE GAME LOCK HAD. pic.twitter.com/udNCtYFYSW
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 29, 2024
Unfortunately, after beating the Colts 45-33, the Giants now only have a 5% chance of coming away with the top pick in next year's draft.
Drew Lock officially takes away the #Giants #1 draft pick.
This will go down in history as the WORST win ever.pic.twitter.com/EbdCDxU9W1
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 29, 2024
To put into perspective how great Lock's performance actually was, he had a +1.18 EPA/play (Expected Points Added per play) vs. the Colts, which is 6th best of any QB in the last 25 years.
This puts him in company with some of the greatest ever: 2007 Peyton Manning vs. Baltimore Ravens, 2007 Phillip Rivers vs. Denver Broncos, 2019 Lamar Jackson vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 2002 Peyton Manning vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 2007 Tom Brady vs. Miami Dolphins.
Drew Lock was 44th out of 44 QB’s in EPA/Play heading into last week and then had the 6th best EPA performance since 1999 https://t.co/tnZKYMsqbs
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) December 30, 2024
Ultimately though, with the No. 1 overall pick on the line, Lock may have misunderstood the assignment, as a reporter asked him after the game:
"What was it like to get that first win at home in front of fans this season?"
And Lock responded: "They deserved it... everyone that is a part of this organization deserved it."
Leader: Drew Lock says #Giants fans "deserved" the win today:
"The fans deserved it, the locker room deserved it, everyone that is a part of this organization deserved it. We knew we had it in us."
New York's biggest villain, Drew Lock.pic.twitter.com/kf8T2NjLUi
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 29, 2024
"It was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. We were clicking today," Lock said. "We knew we had it in us. It was just time to go out and show it and do it and make plays when they were there. Sure enough, we went out and did that today. So, it was a fun time. Really good time."
New York fans seemingly did not view it as a good time, as they reacted to Lock's performance:
Drew Lock just said: “Who cares about the No. 1 pick!” 👀
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 29, 2024
Drew Lock has replaced Juan Soto as public enemy number one
— Stanzo (@ncostanzo24) December 29, 2024
To point out, losing the first overall pick not only affects the Giants, but also potential top draft prospects' futures.
Many might know, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders recently hinted at playing for the Giants, as he was seen playing catch with wide receiver Malik Nabers in New York, as well as sporting cleats portraying their team colors in his bowl game vs. BYU.
Shedeur & Malik Nabers linked up in New York 👀
(via @DeionSandersJr, welloffforever/IG) pic.twitter.com/l5klip5EOH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2024
“We know where we going….You’ll see them in the cleats later on this week” - Shedeur Sanders 3 days ago
New York Giants ? 👀 pic.twitter.com/AtldiFrgGO
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) December 28, 2024
As far as Shedeur's future landing spot it is uncertain now, as the Patriots (3-13) currently have the best odds to draft first with a 78% chance.
Drew Lock to Shedeur Sanders.
“NOT TODAY” #NFL pic.twitter.com/2ZntgYQKSY
— Michael Hauff (@TheFFRealist) December 29, 2024
In Lock's defense, when the players step onto the gridiron, you play to win the game (using the words of Herm Edwards).
With this in mind, that sentiment rings even more true for players that have a lot to prove, such as Lock, 28, who is currently on a one-year deal.
Throughout his six-year NFL career, Lock has accumulated a 9-14 record, throwing 28 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. And with his performance on Sunday, some are wondering if he could potentially be a starter for the Giants next year.
All in all, the Giants front office may have differing objectives for how the end of this season unfolds, and their disappointment is only going to get worse as their next scheduled opponent is the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), which means they will have to face-off with their former player, Saquon Barkley.
For those who don't know, the Giants did not prioritize paying the star running back this past offseason. And certainly Barkley has made them regret this decision, as he has gone on to have a career-year putting up 2,005 rushing yards on 5.8 yards per carry, to go with 13 rush TD's.
“I might have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia…
He’s our most popular player by far!”
— Giants owner John Mara on Hard Knocks. pic.twitter.com/p2G27Qg5Pj
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) July 17, 2024
The 27-year-old will need 100+ yards on the ground in Week 18 to break the single-season rushing record, as Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson currently has the most ever: 2,105 yards during the 1984 season.
And funny enough, Barkley will have the chance to do so vs. his former team next Sunday (January 5 at 1:00 pm ET), which will only add on to the Giants fans' misery.
