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The New York Giants may have fallen to the Detroit Lions in overtime, but quarterback Jameis Winston is a strong contender for game of the year, and you’ll never guess what he did.
Winston, the journeyman quarterback who has started the last two games for New York with rookie Jaxson Dart in concussion protocol, showed off some Giants trickery on the opener in Detroit. He returned a pass before launching a 39-yard touchdown to Wan’Dale Robinson to get on the board first.
But it wasn’t even the best trick play called by interim head coach Mike Kafka, as the fourth quarter saw a play in which Winston scored his own 33-yard touchdown, needing to show off some impressive jukes in the process.
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Jameis Winston of the New York Giants runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 23, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The play occurred with 12:16 left in the fourth quarter when Gunner Olszewski took the ball from Winston, who started a run down the left sideline. Olszewski looked his way, but he didn’t throw it right away. He had to wait before throwing a punch to Winston, who had a defender on him.
But instead of just going down, Winston shuddered, threw a stiff arm and stayed on his feet to allow himself a walk-in touchdown. It was an incredible play for the 31-year-old as the Giants went wild during the touchdown celebration.
At the time, it was a massive score for New York, as it gave the team a 10-point lead over the Lions after the extra point. Many thought this game would be a blowout because the Giants had struggled at 2-9 entering the game.
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But Winston and the Giants’ offense held a 20-17 lead at halftime and again early in the fourth quarter.
GIANTS USE TRICK PLAY TO SCORE EARLY TOUCHDOWN VS LIONS
The aforementioned Robinson finished the game with 156 yards on nine receptions, while Theo Johnson (77 yards) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (68 yards) also had big games through the air. Winston threw for 366 yards on 18 completions and also found Isaiah Hodgins for a touchdown catch in the first half.
But the Lions’ offense is hard to contain, especially No. 0 in the backfield.
Jameis Winston of the New York Giants breaks a tackle from Derrick Barnes #55 of the Detroit Lions to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on November 23, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Jahmyr Gibbs was the main reason for the Giants’ loss as the Lions’ superstar running back had 219 yards on the ground with two long touchdown runs while catching 11 passes for 45 yards and a score as well. It was a three-touchdown game and 264 total yards from scrimmage, and Amon-Ra St. Brown added 149 yards on nine carries with a touchdown of his own for Detroit.
The game eventually went to overtime after Jake Bates hit a 59-yard kick to tie it at 27 apiece with a couple of ticks left in regulation. After that, Gibbs needed just one play to go 69 yards past the Giants’ defense into the end zone to take the lead 34-27.
Wan’Dale Robinson celebrates with Jameis Winston of the New York Giants after Winston scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 23, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Winston and the Giants got a possession of their own in overtime and moved the ball into Lions territory, but it was all for naught after Aidan Hutchinson sacked the quarterback on fourth down to end the game.
The Giants fell to 2-10, while the Lions improved to 7-4 despite the scare Winston and company gave them on Sunday.
