The New York Giants: Did they ruin the tank?

In the NFL last week the New York Giants defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-33.

This was the Giants' first win since Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks, and it is also the Giants' first win at home in Metlife Stadium in eleven months.

Drew Lock starred in this game as he went off for 309 passing yards with 17 completions on 23 attempts with an impressive four passing touchdowns and another one on the ground.

With this success from the quarterback you can assume this pass-catching corp had a strong game, and they did not disappoint. Rookie star Malik Nabers had seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Wan’dale Robinson also had an impressive day with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. Veteran receiver Darius Slayton also hauled in a touchdown.

This game was not one-dimensional for the Giants, the defense also found vast success against backup quarterback Joe Flacco. The secondary took away two interceptions from the hand of Flacco, one hauled in by rookie cornerback from Kentucky, Dru Phillips, and the other by former Iowa standout safety Dane Belton.

Though successful on all sides of the ball, this win may have come at the worst time for the Giants. With the win the Giants fall from the No. 1 overall pick to the No. 4 overall pick as the Patriots, Titans and Browns move ahead of them as they have a weaker strength of schedule.

This shuffle of picks could leave the Giants out in the cold as the Browns and Titans could make selections to take the top quarterbacks, Cam Ward, Miami, and Shedeur Sanders, Colorado.

The Giants will end their season against the Philadelphia Eagles who will be resting key players such as Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, who will not attempt to surpass the single-season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson against his former team.

If the Giants were to beat the Eagles in Week 18 that would further harm New York’s first-round selection as they could fall to the ninth overall selection. That would continue the Giants’ long-term issue of being unable to obtain a franchise quarterback.

This season alone Giants fans have seen Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy Devito and Tim Boyle take snaps at quarterback. After cutting Daniel Jones on Nov. 22 it has been mix and match for the Giants at QB.

Devito started against Dallas on Thanksgiving, then they turned to Lock against the Saints. Then, against the Ravens, both Tommy Devito and Tim Boyle split snaps before returning to Drew Lock against the Falcons and Colts.

This inconsistency has only intensified Giants fans’ desire to draft a quarterback they can call their franchise guy. To have consistency and talent at the quarterback position for the first time since Eli Manning.

If the Giants were to not take a quarterback in the draft this season their options on the free agent market include Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston and Trey Lance.

These options would almost certainly be a one-year bandaid for the Giants until they reach the 2026 NFL Draft headlined by quarterbacks such as Drew Allar, Penn State, Arch Manning, Texas and Garrett Nussmeier, Louisiana State.

The Giants have many choices to make this offseason and next.

Still, after their big victory against the Colts, Giants fans can have hope in their young core moving forward as they attempt to bring in a quarterback that can elevate them, and end the continued disappointment that has plagued Giants fans since the Super Bowls over a decade ago.

Massimo Manfra is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mgm6116@psu.edu.