Every NFL season is filled with plenty of highlight-reel plays. From long runs and one-handed catches to game-changing interceptions, teams give their fans moments they will remember for years to come. The New York Giants were no different during the 2025 season, despite it being a very difficult season for them.
Big Blue finished with a 4-13 record, missing the playoffs for the third straight season. However, they were still able to produce several memorable plays that showcased the talent and potential of their young roster. With so many moments to choose from, here are the top five plays from the Giants’ 2025 season.
No. 5: Jaxson Dart‘s First Career Touchdown
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was starting games for the Giants earlier than expected. After Week 3, they benched veteran Russell Wilson and decided to roll with Dart as the starter for Week 4. It was a tough first assignment, as the Los Angeles Chargers were coming in with a 3-0 record and one of the best defenses in the league.
Despite the tough matchup on paper, the rookie didn’t look fazed. In the first quarter, Dart led the Giants all the way down the field and into the red zone. On a first down at the Chargers’ 15-yard line, Dart took a designed quarterback draw play and bolted past the Los Angeles defense for his first career rushing touchdown. That play capped off a 9-play, 89-yard drive for the Giants.
In the third quarter, Dart threw his first touchdown on a shovel pass to tight end Theo Johnson. That score gave the Giants a 21-10 lead, which they would hold onto to hand the Chargers their first loss of the season. It was a very promising debut for Dart, who gave the offense the spark they needed after an 0-3 start.
No. 4: Brian Burns Strip Sack vs Vikings
Even though the Giants defense struggled mightily in 2025, pass rusher Brian Burns was one of the few bright spots. Burns finished second in the NFL with 16.5 sacks and earned second-team All-Pro as well as Pro Bowl honors. In a Week 16 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Burns showed why he is a game-changer off the edge.
With under a minute left in the first half, the Vikings had the ball and were up 13-3. On second down, Burns came in unblocked off the edge and laid a big hit on Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The hit forced a fumble, which safety Tyler Nubin recovered and returned for a touchdown. The scoop and score cut the Vikings’ lead to 13-10 going into halftime.
Despite the Giants already being eliminated from the playoffs, Burns kept playing hard and proving why he is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
No. 3: Jameis Winston‘s Flea Flicker Touchdown Pass
With Jaxson Dart dealing with a concussion, Jameis Winston got the start in Week 12 vs the Lions. On the Giants’ first possession of the game, they scored a touchdown on a trick play. Winston tossed the ball to running back Devin Singletary, who then threw it back to the quarterback. Winston got the ball back, avoided a pass rusher, and threw a strike downfield to Wan’Dale Robinson for the score.
Big Blue struck first in what turned out to be a thrilling game that the Giants ultimately lost. Winston would be involved in another trick play later on.
No. 2: Malik Nabers Catches a Bomb From Russell Wilson
Even though the Giants didn’t win a lot in 2025, they were a part of some exciting games. The first one came in Week 2 against their division rival, the Dallas Cowboys, and it was a thrilling back-and-forth affair. There were seven second-half lead changes and 41 combined points in the fourth quarter. Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns, with the last one coming in the final seconds.
With the Giants down by four and needing a touchdown, Wilson got them into Dallas territory. With 33 seconds left and no timeouts, New York needed something out of bounds or a big play down the field. From the Cowboys’ 48-yard line, Wilson threw up a prayer in double coverage for Malik Nabers. Despite Nabers’ facemask being covered, he still managed to make the catch in the end zone to give New York the lead once again.
However, the Cowboys drove down the field quickly and tied the game with a 64-yard field goal. They would go on to win in overtime 40-37. Despite this being a crushing loss for the Giants, it was still an incredible moment. Wilson showed that he can still throw the deep ball, and Nabers showed that he is one of the most talented young wide receivers in the NFL.
No. 1: Jameis Winston’s Trick-Play Touchdown
During the Week 12 game against the Lions, the Giants were up 20-17 in the fourth quarter and looking to add on. On Detroit’s 33-yard line, interim head coach Mike Kafka dialed up another trick play. They called an end-around, with wide receiver Gunner Olszewski acting as the quarterback on the play.
Olszewski evaded the Lions’ pass rush and found Winston running down the left sideline. Winston caught the pass and juked past his defender to get into the end zone for a touchdown. This gave the Giants a 27-17 lead as they looked to steal a road victory. However, Detroit came back in the fourth quarter and forced overtime, which they won on a 69-yard touchdown run.
Though the Giants lost another heartbreaker, the Winston trick-play touchdown was the best play of their season and arguably one of the best in the entire NFL. In their video of the top 100 plays of the 2025 season, the NFL put this one at No. 3.
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