New York Giants head coach Michael Ghobrial praised Ihmir Smith-Marsette for his impressive decision-making abilities and leadership, highlighting his vital role as a wide receiver and kick returner. The Giants decided to re-sign him due to these qualities, which are essential in the return game. Ghobrial emphasized Smith-Marsette's knack for making sound choices in traffic and maintaining possession of the football, which are crucial skills for any return specialist.

Last season, Smith-Marsette showcased his potential by scoring on a remarkable 100-yard kickoff return against the Indianapolis Colts, reflecting his explosive capabilities. The Giants are clearly optimistic about his impact moving forward.

PFF's NFL Week 17 Team of the Week has been unveiled, showcasing standout players based on performance grades and snap counts. The selections highlight those who not only excelled in their individual performances but also demonstrated consistency over a significant number of plays. The criteria emphasize the importance of maintaining high performance levels, which is crucial in the competitive landscape of the NFL.

Leading the offensive lineup is quarterback Joe Burrow from the Cincinnati Bengals, who delivered an outstanding performance against the Denver Broncos, completing 39 of 49 passes for 412 yards. His efforts were pivotal in keeping the Bengals' playoff hopes alive. Joining him in the offensive spotlight are notable players like Derrick Henry from the Baltimore Ravens and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers from the New York Giants, who had a remarkable game against the Indianapolis Colts.

On the defensive side, edge rusher Nolan Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles made a significant impact against the Dallas Cowboys, achieving an impressive run-defense grade. His ability to disrupt plays was complemented by strong performances from other defensive players, including Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns and John Franklin-Myers of the Denver Broncos. The special teams also made their mark with standout players like kicker Cam Little from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This week's selections demonstrate the depth of talent across the league, with players rising to the occasion in critical moments as the season heads into its final stretch.

The New York Giants showcased an explosive performance in their 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, marking their first game with over 40 points since 2019. Quarterback Drew Lock delivered an impressive performance, completing 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and throwing four touchdown passes, in addition to rushing for another score. His performance was nearly overshadowed by Saquon Barkley’s stellar play, which has become a hallmark of his career.

Rookies Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Malik Nabers made history by becoming the third pair of rookie teammates to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a single season. Nabers set a personal record with 171 receiving yards despite battling a toe injury. The offensive line, despite missing center John Michael Schmitz, allowed zero sacks and only one quarterback hit, demonstrating a strong pass protection effort, although run blocking was less effective with an average of 2.7 yards per attempt.

Defensively, the Giants managed to limit the Colts despite the latter's 446 total yards. The defense recorded three takeaways, including two interceptions of quarterback Joe Flacco, and made crucial stops with two sacks and multiple tackles for loss. Brian Burns stood out with six tackles and three tackles for loss, while Kayvon Thibodeaux made a pivotal strip sack in the final moments of the game.

Special teams also contributed significantly, with Ihmir Smith-Marsette returning the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, and kicker Graham Gano executing all of his kickoffs for touchbacks. Head coach Brian Daboll received praise for his play-calling and ability to motivate the team, especially after a challenging stretch of losses. This performance raises questions about the future direction of the Giants and whether they can maintain this momentum moving forward.

The New York Giants ended a challenging season on a high note, snapping a franchise-record 10-game losing streak with a 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Quarterback Drew Lock was the star of the game, throwing four touchdown passes and adding a rushing touchdown, leading the Giants to their first home win of the season. The win also extinguished the Colts' slim playoff hopes, marking a significant shift in momentum for New York.

Lock's performance was stellar, completing 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards, including touchdown throws of 31 and 59 yards to rookie Malik Nabers, along with a 32-yard pass to Darius Slayton and a 5-yard pass to Wan'Dale Robinson. The Giants recorded their highest point total of the season, showcasing a revitalized offense that had struggled throughout the year. This performance was particularly notable given that it was the most points scored by the Giants in a victory since 2014.

In addition to Lock's contributions, Nabers had a standout game with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards. The Colts, despite the loss, had bright spots with Jonathan Taylor rushing for two touchdowns and Joe Flacco stepping in for the injured Anthony Richardson, throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns. However, Flacco also faced challenges, including two interceptions, one of which was made by rookie Dru Phillips.

With this win, the Giants have not only broken their losing streak but have also seen their rookies perform exceptionally well, with Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy becoming the third pair of rookies in franchise history to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same season. As the season wraps up, the Giants will face the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Colts will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in their final game.

The New York Giants faced a disappointing 34-7 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons, with head coach Brian Daboll's decision to start Drew Lock backfiring. Lock threw two critical Pick-6s, and the offense struggled with penalties, including five on their final drive alone.

Despite a few good plays from defenders and special teams, the Giants' performance was marred by repeated mistakes and a lack of offensive production, raising questions about the coaching and roster decisions moving forward.