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Cardinals Collapse, Fall to Giants in Ugly Week 2 Loss

The Arizona Cardinals held a 20-point lead against the New York Giants but couldn't get the job done.

Donnie Druin

In this story:

GLENDALE -- The Arizona Cardinals weren't favorites heading into their Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants, yet they took a 20-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

That didn't last long.

New York battled their way back and found their first win of the season, erasing what was a second consecutive halftime lead for the Cardinals, ruining their home opener. 

The Cardinals now fall to 0-2 on the season and are set to host the Dallas Cowboys next week. 

First Quarter

After winning the toss and deferring, the Giants allowed Josh Dobbs and the Cardinals offense to take the field first. 

Arizona pieced together consecutive first downs and looked to potentially gain their first offensive touchdown of 2023, though the Giants ultimately stalled their momentum and forced a 55-yard attempt from Matt Prater, which fell just short. 

Daniel Jones and company took over but were unable to garner anything, trotting out their punt team for the first time all afternoon. 

The scoring was eventually opened up by James Conner on the ensuing drive, who capped off a nine-play, 86-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 6:11 left in the first. 

Cardinals 7, Giants 0

Dennis Gardeck would snag his third sack in five quarters after bringing down Jones to force yet another Giants punt. 

The clock ran out with Arizona driving in New York territory, threatening to extend their lead. They nearly surpassed their total net yards from last week (210) in the first quarter with 161.

Second Quarter

It didn't take the Cardinals long to again find the end zone, this time on a 23-yard rush by Josh Dobbs - his first career touchdown on the ground.

Cardinals 14, Giants 0

For a third-straight drive, the Cardinals forced a Giants punt and drove down to the NYG 20 before settling for a 37-yard Prater field goal with 8:43 left.

Cardinals 17, Giants 0

It appeared as if the Giants had finally found momentum, stringing together a handful of first downs and entering Arizona territory. 

That's when Jones threw his first interception of the afternoon to Jalen Thompson, the ball bounced off the hands of his receiver. 

The Cardinals again were forced to settle for another Prater field goal to extend their lead by three.

Cardinals 20, Giants 0

Again hoping to find the end zone with 1:09 left, all hope was put to rest of scoring when Zaven Collins brought down Jones to run the clock out.

The Giants have just five first downs to Arizona's 16 and are being outgained 241-81.

New York will receive to begin the second half. 

Third Quarter

New York wasted no time trying to get back in the game, as rookie Jalin Hyatt burnt Marco Wilson on a 58-yard deep shot to open the second half. 

Two plays later, Jones would keep the ball on an option to play to find the end zone on New York's first score of the day.

Cardinals 20, Giants 7

Driving into Giants territory, Dobbs appeared to have thrown his first interception of the season before it was called back due to pass interference. 

Arizona would make good on their newfound opportunity with Marquise Brown finding the end zone on a three-yard touchdown reception. The Cardinals would go for two and successfully convert via a rush from Dobbs.

Cardinals 28, Giants 7

Finding rhythm, the Giants again found themselves deep in Arizona territory and nearly were forced to bring on the field goal unit after Jones was sacked before a personal foul penalty on Cardinals rookie DL Dante Stills (for a late hit) gave the Giants new life.  

Saquon Barkley would soon punch it in to draw the game within two possessions. 

Cardinals 28, Giants 14

Arizona has the ball in New York territory as the game shifts to the fourth quarter. 

Fourth Quarter

For the first time all game, the Cardinals were forced to utilize punter Nolan Cooney after not scoring for the first time since their opening drive. 

The Giants took over at their own 20 and marched on a thirteen-play, 80-yard scoring drive that was capped with Barkley's second touchdown of the day, this time coming through the air.

Cardinals 28, Giants 21

Dobbs and co. would go three-and-out on the ensuing drive, giving New York possession with opportunity to tie the game with 7:31 left.

The Giants thought they leveled the score on another Jones rush before a holding call brought back the touchdown. 

WR Isaiah Hodgins would soon find the end zone to erase the 20-point deficit for New York with 4:25 left.

Cardinals 28, Giants 28

Another three-and-out accompanied the Cardinals, who suffered back-to-back false start penalties to put themselves in a 3rd-and-16 hole they wouldn't get themselves out of.

With 2:31 left, Jones and the rest of New York's offense took the field. A minute later, they found themselves in field goal territory. 

With 19 seconds left, Graham Gano knocked down a 34-yard field goal (his first of the game) to give the Giants their first lead of the afternoon.

Giants 31, Cardinals 28

Dobbs and the offense - with no timeouts left - were unable to squeeze anything out of the remaining seconds, and the clock hit zero. 

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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