The New York Giants faced off against the Chicago Bears at frigid and blustery Soldier Field on Sunday with intentions of stopping their 10-game road losing streak.
The Bears were coming off an explosive showing against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, where they scored 47 points. The Giants entered the game riding a three-game losing streak in which they allowed an average of 35 points and 192 rushing yards per game.
The game did not play out the way many had predicted. The weather kept the score down, and the defenses stepped up after their recent relapses. But the Giants failed to play a complete game once again, blowing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and losing on the road for a franchise-record 11th straight time, 24-20.
Darius Slayton caught all four of his targets for a total of 89 yards and made a remarkable one-handed grab along the sideline in traffic. He continues to confound, but in this game, he looked like the receiver the Giants inked to a three-year extension in March.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Dud: Pass rush
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams deserves some credit for his escapability. He wriggled out of many a precarious situation in this game, but the Giants could not sack him and had just three QB hits on the afternoon.
Stud: QB Jaxson Dart
The rookie sensation completed 19 of 29 passes for 242 yards and rushed for 66 more. His two rushing touchdowns set an NFL record for quarterbacks with six consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. But Jaxson Dart was injured as the third quarter ended, suffering a concussion while fumbling the ball deep in Bears territory.
Dud: P Jamie Gillan
Jamie Gillan began the game handling kickoff duties with Younghoe Koo in his Giants’ debut, and he handled field goals and extra points. Gillan’s first kickoff went out of bounds, and his second didn’t reach the landing zone. But it was his shanked punt of 26 yards that set up the Bears’ winning touchdown drive that most will remember here.
Stud: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Injuries at inside linebacker thrust the special-teamer into action again this week, and he responded. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles led the Giants with seven total tackles, one for a loss, and recorded a QB hit.
Dud: QB Russell Wilson
Granted, he was rusty and entered the game in the fourth quarter with the Giants leading, 17-10. Russell Wilson drove the Giants 79 yards on 10 plays but stalled on the one-yard line. They had to settle for a field goal. His next two drives were three-and-outs, and the final drive fell short, and they lost the ball on downs with 38 seconds left.
More studs:WR Gunner OlzsewskiRB Devin SingletaryMore duds:HC Brian DabollDC Shane BowenOL Greg Van RotenCB Deonte Banks
