Cards fall short to the Giants 36-24

The Arizona Cardinals had control early, regained the lead in the second half and even had an opportunity to win the game in the closing seconds. But when the final whistle sounded Sunday, Arizona was left with another frustrating loss.

The Cardinals fell 36-24 to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, dropping Arizona to 1-3 on the season after a game filled with missed opportunities and costly turnovers.

Arizona couldn't have asked for a much better start.

Jacoby Brissett connected with Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 12-yard touchdown to give the Cardinals an early 7-0 advantage. After New York answered with a field goal, Tyler Allgeier broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run that extended Arizona's lead to 14-3.

For a moment, the Cardinals appeared to be in complete control.

Then everything began to change.

New York's offense found its rhythm in the second quarter behind quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston connected with Malachi Fields for a touchdown before finding Malik Nabers for another score, helping the Giants storm back and take a 19-14 lead.

Arizona managed to grab some momentum heading into halftime when Chad Ryland drilled an impressive 60-yard field goal as time expired, cutting New York's advantage to 19-17.

The Cardinals weren't finished.

Arizona's defense created an opportunity in the third quarter when Budda Baker intercepted Winston. The Cardinals capitalized on the turnover, with Brissett finding Elijah Higgins for a touchdown that put Arizona back in front, 24-19.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, those would be their final points of the afternoon.

Winston responded by leading New York back down the field and connecting with Theo Johnson for a touchdown. The Giants added a successful two-point conversion to reclaim the lead at 27-24.

New York later added a field goal to make it 30-24, but Arizona still had one final opportunity.

And for a moment, it looked like the Cardinals might pull off the comeback.

Arizona drove deep into Giants territory in the closing minute, and a defensive pass interference penalty moved the Cardinals close to the goal line. Suddenly, Arizona was only a few yards away from potentially taking the lead.

But the Cardinals couldn't finish the drive. After several incomplete passes, Brissett attempted to find Trey McBride on fourth down. Giants cornerback Deonte Banks stepped in front of the pass, intercepted it near the goal line and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown.

Instead of Arizona potentially taking the lead, New York delivered the final blow.

Giants 36. Cardinals 24.

Brissett finished the afternoon completing 21 of 35 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Michael Wilson led Arizona with seven receptions for 95 yards, while McBride added seven catches. On the ground, Jeremiyah Love finished with 63 yards on 14 carries, while Allgeier contributed 42 yards and a touchdown.

Winston threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns for New York despite being intercepted twice. Nabers delivered one of the game's biggest performances, finishing with six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Arizona finished with 270 total yards compared with New York's 319.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

The Cardinals had their chances. They led 14-3 in the first quarter. They forced three Giants turnovers. They regained the lead in the third quarter. And with the game on the line, they reached the doorstep of the end zone with an opportunity to steal a road victory.

They simply couldn't finish.

Three interceptions from Brissett proved especially costly, and Arizona's offense failed to score a single point in the fourth quarter. Now the Cardinals leave New York at 1-3, carrying the frustration of a third consecutive loss and another game that felt within reach.

For Arizona, the challenge moving forward is clear: promising stretches aren't enough. The Cardinals have to find a way to turn opportunities into victories before an already difficult start to the season becomes an even bigger hole.