Nabers takes blame for OT interception as Giants fall to Cowboys 40-37

New York’s NFL Sunday night game ended with the Cowboys edging the Giants 40-37 in overtime, and the key turning point came on a play that superstar receiver Malik Nabers said he would own. Nabers, who racked up nine receptions for 167 yards and scored on 29- and 48-yard catches, helped New York race ahead for most of the night. But the decisive moment occurred when quarterback Russell Wilson faced a deep shot intended for Nabers that was intercepted by Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson to end the game. Afterward, Wilson indicated there was some miscommunication on the play, a sentiment Nabers later echoed and then reframed publicly.

Nabers’ big night was one of the bright spots for New York in a back-and-forth slugfest that featured seven lead changes. The Giants had hoped the connection with Nabers would be a stabilizing force in a game that stretched into overtime, and Nabers delivered with a pair of long touchdowns, giving New York a chance to win late. The last drive, however, ended on a misread that early in the night seemed more like a rhythm builder than a mistake.

Following the game, Nabers initially framed the error as a team responsibility before flipping to take ownership. “I mean, I don’t put it on myself personally. We all play a role,” Nabers said a few days later. Then, he added with a sharper edge, “Yeah, actually, I will take it. That’s my fault. I should have been in more communication with Russ to know what we were trying to do. I was locked in on trying to figure out how the defense was playing me at the time, and I wasn’t really looking at the right time for him to give me what he gave me to try to change the run-up. That’s 100 percent my fault.”

The moment underscored a broader narrative about the Giants’ performance through the first two weeks of the season: the offense can hum, but the defense and the late-game execution are still shaping the outcome. In the immediate aftermath, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II acknowledged his own inconsistent start to the year and pledged a stronger showing in Week 3. “I know I’ve got to be at my best, and I will be at my best Sunday night, and I’ll be ready,” Lawrence said as New York prepared for a high-profile test against the Chiefs.

There is an ongoing rotation at one of the Giants’ starting cornerback spots. Cor’Dale Flott has taken the majority of snaps, while Deonte Banks has been used more on clear passing downs. In Week 2, Flott logged 59 snaps and Banks 33, a distribution Daboll said reflects the team trying to optimize matchups week to week. “I thought he did some good things,” Daboll said of Banks. “I think Flott’s playing good. We’ll just do what we think we need to do for each game. But I think they’ve both earned playing time with some of the things they’ve done, and they’ll both need to help us.”

Injuries and roster notes added to the pressure. Inside linebacker Darius Muasau remained in concussion protocol, while Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) and Chauncey Golston (ankle) were out. Others listed as limited participants on the practice report included wide receivers Wan’Dale Robinson (foot) and Darius Slayton (groin/calf), center John Michael Schmitz (toe), defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot), running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (calf) and returner Gunner Olszewski (back).

New York will look to rebound in a high-profile Week 3 matchup against the Chiefs, a game that could test the Giants’ improving offense while offering a stern challenge to their defense. The conversations following the loss centered on accountability, execution and adjustments as the Giants prepare to return to prime-time Sunday night duty.