Game Preview: Giants host Colts in Week 17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – In the Giants’ quest to earn a long-awaited victory, they have adopted a credo that is antithetical to that of real estate agents – they care nothing about location, location, location.

When the Giants host the Indianapolis Colts tomorrow, it will be their final opportunity to win their first game this season in MetLife Stadium. It is also their latest chance to end a losing streak that has grown to 10 games.

That last sentence motivates them far more than the one that preceded it. The Giants just want to win. They don’t care if they do it on a high school field, a mall parking lot, or in MetLifeStadium.

“When you’re on a losing streak, you want to get that win,” said Drew Lock, who will start his second consecutive game at quarterback. “Whether it’s at home or away, we’re fighting every week for a win.”

“Everybody obviously wants to win and knows how important it is to get a win at home and not finish the season without a win at home,” defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches said. “But it was just as important last week. Every week is just as important. We’re trying to win regardless of what’s going on, regardless of the situation, regardless of where we are. We come here and put our heads down and just do everything we can to get the win.”

Coach Brian Daboll’s public messaging seldom deviates from a straight line, so he’s not about to stress the importance of specific locale as he looks to guide the Giants to their first triumph since Oct. 6. He does, however, empathize with the fans.

“We certainly appreciate the support.” Daboll said. “You want to give them a better product in terms of the results that we’re putting out there right now, but certainly appreciate them.”

Earlier in the week, Daboll said, “We’re trying to get a win in any way, shape or form. I can understand coming to a game and watching your team not win, that’s no fun. It’s certainly no fun for anybody involved and we’re doing everything we can to try to do that for us but also for the people that come out and support us.”

The Giants last won in MetLife Stadium on Jan. 7, when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10. They are 0-8 at home this season and are trying to avoid finishing winless at home for the first time since 1974, when they were 0-7 at Yale Bowl.

Oddly, the Colts have won in MetLife Stadium this season, defeating the Jets on Nov. 17, 28-27. But denying them a second victory in their home stadium is not part of the Giants’ motivational process.

“We have to get a win regardless of it being at home,” cornerback Adoree’ Jackson said. “We just need a win in general just to get some feel good going around here. Being the last game at home just puts a little extra on it. We have to go out there and try to get a win by any means – scratch, bite, claw, do whatever we gotta do.”

The Giants, 2-13, will finish their season next week in Philadelphia, where they hope to win their first NFC East game of the season. They expect to travel there with another victory on their record.

And’s let face it. No one wants to carry an 0-9 home record for the rest of their careers.

“You definitely don’t want to have lowlights,” outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux said. “This year hasn’t gone as planned but I think just continuing to give it our best foot forward and making sure that we go out there and try to get a win.”

“We ain’t expecting anybody to come save us, so it’s on us,” said Brian Burns, the linebacker who plays opposite of Thibodeaux. “Either you gonna fight or lay down.”

Is there more pressure on the players to get that first home win in their last opportunity?

“No, I don’t say more pressure,” Burns said. “I would say right now we’re just fighting to get a win. It ain’t about whether we’re home or not home. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to get a win.”

*With center John Michael Schmitz sidelined for the first time this season with an ankle injury, offensive lineman Greg Van Roten and defensive end Brian Burns will be the only Giants to have started every game. Van Roten is the only Giants player to participate in 100% of the offensive or defensive snaps. He started the first 15 games at right guard but will shift to center in Schmitz’s absence.

*When Chicago’s Caleb Williams threw an interception on his final pass in the Bears’ 6-3 loss to Seattle Thursday night, it broke his NFL-long streak of 353 consecutive passes without a pick. It also moved up Giants backup quarterback Tommy DeVito to No. 2 on the active list with 163 straight passes without an interception. Topping the list is three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time most valuable player Patrick Mahomes (237).

*DeVito will begin tomorrow’s game as Drew Lock’s backup.

*Linebacker Dyontae Johnson is expected to make his NFL debut tomorrow. He spent the entire 2023 season on the Giants’ practice squad and most of this season on injured reserve after hurting his ankle in the preseason.

“He’ll have some opportunity, whether it’s in a kicking game or some defensive reps,” Daboll said. “He did a good job for us, obviously, in the preseason. So, it’ll be good to see him, how he’s doing. Intelligent player. Has some athleticism to him. So, it’ll be good to get him out there.”