Given the circumstances, the New York Giants will take their 27-27 overtime tie with the Washington Commanders from a wet and wacky Sunday afternoon in Maryland with appreciation for the big picture impact on the season.
John Harbaugh's team did not win, despite fighting back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter and having a golden opportunity to do so not once but twice in overtime. But the Giants actually increased their lead in the NFC East to 1.5 games with stunning losses this week for the Cowboys and the Eagles, not to mention the time management brain melt for the Commanders that puts the immediate future of their coaching staff into question.
"As far as the game, we can learn so much," Harbaugh said. "But the one thing that has become very evident is what is inside of our players. Their heart, their grit, their mental toughness, their ability to overcome adversity is A+++. And that showed up today, so I'm very proud of that. And I’m also very excited for the fact that we can improve so much."
The Giants (3-1-1) will return home for next Sunday's game against the 1-4 New Orleans Saints, and when you think about the make-up of this team, look no further back than last season for a reminder of how much has changed.
For the third consecutive week, the Giants' defense was on the field with the game on the line - three times at the end of regulation and again in overtime, desperately needing to make a stop or else.
Jevon Holland’s interception beat the Titans.
Deonte Banks’ interception beat the Cardinals.
Those were wins.
This time, the Giants did not allow Washington to drive into position for the potential game-winning field goal in regulation. Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on the first play of that Commanders’ possession, moving the ball to midfield. But the Giants held their ground, and Arvell Reese made a big play when he sacked Daniels, the first of his career.
Ultimately, the Commanders were forced to punt and the Giants kneeled out the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime. Then, with the Commanders driving for the potential game-winning kick at the end of overtime, the Giants again held their ground, forcing Washington to earn every inch. And guess what: by not giving the game away, when spirits were clearly down after Cam Skattebo's stunning fumble cost the Giants their own chance, that resolve helped push Daniels, head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator David Blough and anyone else responsible into a mind-numbing finish of epic proportions as the Commanders inexplicably let the clock run out.
“I didn't want anybody to say something different happened," Harbaugh said. "I wanted to get off the field before they could take it away from us, I guess. I was surprised. I was surprised. I can't say that I wasn't. It was a pretty shocking end there."
Here are other takeaways:
Jermaine Eluemunor headed for MRI
Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor will go for an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the calf injury he suffered Sunday. Calf injuries are tricky, so barring something unforeseen, it's likely Eluemunor is in jeopardy of missing some time. Marcus Mbow played well in relief against the Commanders. Will he be out there for one game against the Saints prior to an Eluemunor, against the Saints and the Texans or both of those games and then through the bye?
A winning performance from Jameis Winston
Yes, the Winston-led offense was slow over the first two quarters to find any rhythm. And sure, he lost a fumble. Yet there's no question the Giants never sniff the tie, let alone the chances they had to win, without his play at QB.
Winston led three touchdown drives over the final 15:44 of regulation, including a 17-yard scoring strike to Malik Nabers with 1:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, allowing Dominic Zvada to pull the Giants even at 27 with his point-after kick.
The calls for J.J. McCarthy were growing louder at halftime, beyond his cameo appearances in the first half that telegraphed the Giants' desire to open up their run game with his ability, but the Giants stuck with Winston and he lit things up.
Ball security has to improve
This may be a master-of-the-obvious statement, but the ball security issues for the Giants' running backs is not sustainable. Skattebo said all the right things, and there was a question as to why Harbaugh did not just take the field goal chance after the two-minute warning instead of running the football. The Giants wanted to set up a "win or tie" scenario" by taking more time off the clock, and if that got them closer for a Dominic Zvada field goal, that'd be a plus.
Let the playmakers play
Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely were incredible as the Giants mounted their comeback. They had 11 catches apiece, Likely found the end zone twice and Nabers posted his second straight 100-yard game.
What does Yannick Ngakoue mean for Kayvon Thibodeaux?
First off, Yannick Ngakoue hasn't even worked out for the Giants yet. He'll do that Monday, and if the veteran pass rusher signs, does he fit in a group that includes Kayvon Thibodeaux, or does this signal a possible trade? It's hard to tell, but Thibodeaux did have an impact at times against the Commanders even if his production did not light up the box score. We'll see where this goes.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How grit and mental toughness of John Harbaugh Giants showed up again