EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — There is no such thing as a debate. The New York Giants are actually Tommy DeVito’s staff down the stretch after he added a last-minute, game-winning drive to his résumé in a 24-22 resolution over the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Monday night time at MetLife Stadium.
The undrafted rookie went 4-for-4 passing for 53 yards because the Giants drove 57 yards in seven performs within the remaining 1:33 to arrange Randy Bullock’s 37-yard discipline objective as time expired. It solely added to the inconceivable story that’s unfolding.
“You take pleasure in it when it is an final result like this, proper?” DeVito stated. “I imply, I take pleasure in being on the sector any play, it doesn’t matter what play it’s. So simply attempt to take pleasure in it.”
The Giants (5-8) are actually only one recreation again of 5 groups for the ultimate NFC wild-card spot, together with the Packers (6-7). This after beginning a woeful 2-7 earlier than turning to DeVito due to accidents to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor.
New York is on this place as a result of DeVito has received three of his 4 begins, together with three straight. He’s simply the third undrafted rookie quarterback within the widespread draft period to win three of his first 4 profession begins, in response to Elias Sports activities Bureau. He joins Washington’s Ed Rubbert (1987) and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Devlin Hodges (2019).
DeVito is taking all of it in stride, even after a heroic second-half effort on Monday.
“I believe as a quarterback you must keep even keel by way of all of it. You realize, as a result of when you find yourself successful like we’re proper now, the whole lot is excessive, and when you find yourself shedding, the whole lot is low,” DeVito stated. “In order a quarterback, you’ve to have the ability to keep even by way of all of it. So, I take delight in that. It is one thing that I’ve grown over, clearly over time, from once I was taking part in from once I was 5. All through highschool and faculty, simply persevering with to develop that a part of my recreation.”
There is no such thing as a query now that the Giants will keep on with DeVito subsequent week on the highway versus the New Orleans Saints over a now-healthy Taylor. Coach Brian Daboll would not decide to that getting into Monday night time’s recreation.
DeVito’s clutch efficiency made it a no brainer.
“Earned the proper to play [Monday], and earned the proper to play subsequent week,” Daboll stated. “The child’s achieved a superb job.”
DeVito went 17-of-21 passing for 158 yards and a landing with no interceptions in opposition to the Packers. He additionally ran for 71 yards on 10 carries and accomplished 11 of his 12 passes within the second half, with the one incompletion being a throwaway.
He continues to shock and impress.
“That is a hell of a competitor,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated.
The rookie now has seven landing passes and only one interception in his 4 begins.
However needing to drive the sector for the successful rating within the remaining seconds was one thing he hadn’t achieved within the NFL.
Not that the Giants had been involved about nerves being a deterrent.
“We do not have to fret about that. He retains his composure,” Daboll stated. “There was actually nothing [to say]. Here is a pair performs we like and go on the market and rip that son of a b—-. Fairly easy.”
DeVito was as assured as ever with the whole lot, together with probably his beginning spot, on the road.
“Let’s go win the sport,” he informed his teammates previous to the ultimate drive. “It is on us. It is on the offense.”
DeVito hit Wan’Dale Robinson, Saquon Barkley and Darius Slayton beneath on the primary three performs of the successful drive.
Then he discovered Robinson on a play to the proper sideline that was the identical name that DeVito missed earlier within the contest, having overthrown the ball.
However this time, DeVito hit Robinson in stride. The second-year vast receiver turned it upfield for a 32-yard achieve that put the Giants clearly in discipline objective vary.
“Calm, poised, cool, collected, taking what the protection provides him,” Barkley stated of DeVito on that final drive.
The Giants and their followers appear to be feeding off DeVito’s power. His trademark pinched fingers celebration was all around the stadium and the Giants’ postgame locker room. The craze is in full impact nowadays within the New York metropolitan space.
The Giants are related once more with their third-string quarterback now the starter. They’re rallying behind DeVito, who performed collegiately at Syracuse and Illinois.
“That’s uncommon for a rookie quarterback. With the arrogance and swagger that he performs with, you may really feel it by way of the stadium, you may really feel it by way of the sideline,” stated Barkley, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. “Completely satisfied we had been in a position to get the win.”
With all of it, DeVito’s legend solely continues to develop. The native legend who received a state championship at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey and famously nonetheless lives at dwelling together with his mother and father has received over a fan base that after considered this as a misplaced season.
That is DeVito mania. His household was seen on a number of events throughout the nationally televised recreation. His agent, Sean Stellato, father, Tom, and brother, Max, had been even proven throughout the tv broadcast kissing one another on the cheek in celebration after the landing move.
Your complete DeVito crew have gotten family figures.
“It is good for enterprise,” the quarterback stated.
As are game-winning drives.
