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Why the New York Giants Are in First Place After Week 4

A late defensive play gave New York a 3-1 record, but the NFC East remains unsettled and the Giants still have questions at quarterback.

SportsOctober 5, 20263 min readHow Sureno writes this

The short version

The New York Giants are in first place in the NFC East after beating Arizona 36-24 and moving to 3-1. ¹
Deonte Banks returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown on the final play, sealing the win. ¹
The result does not settle the division: the Eagles and Cowboys are 2-2, and recent games have been close. ³
The Giants’ quarterback situation remains uncertain while Jaxson Dart is injured and backup Jameis Winston has started in his place. ¹³

Why are the Giants in first place?

The Giants beat the Arizona Cardinals 36-24 on October 4, giving them a 3-1 record and sole possession of first place in the NFC East. ¹ In football, a division is a group of teams within the same conference. A team’s place in the standings reflects its record and, when needed, other league tie-breaking rules.

First place after four weeks is a snapshot, not a division title. The season is still underway, and the Giants’ lead does not guarantee a playoff place or predict how the rest of the season will go.

How did New York beat Arizona?

The game stayed in doubt until the final play. Arizona had a chance to score a tying touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the Giants’ four-yard line. Instead, Banks intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. ¹²

New York’s offense also contributed. Winston threw three touchdown passes, to Malachi Fields, Malik Nabers and Theo Johnson, while finishing with 250 passing yards and two interceptions. ¹ The win was not a clean performance, but the defense made the decisive play.

What does first place mean for an ordinary fan?

For now, it means the Giants have the best record in their division. Winning a division can matter because the division title comes with a playoff spot, but the standings can change as more games are played. ³

The wider division picture is still open. The Eagles and Cowboys were both 2-2 after Week 4, while Washington was 1-3. NBC News described the division as having no clear favorite at that point. ³ So the Giants’ position is worth noting, but it is not proof that they are the strongest team in the division.

Can the Giants keep winning without Jaxson Dart?

That is one of the main unanswered questions. Winston made his second start in place of Dart, who was injured, and helped the Giants win. ¹ The available game report does not establish when Dart will return or how long he might be unavailable.

NBC News also raised the broader question of whether the Giants can continue winning with backup quarterbacks. ³ Winston’s three touchdown passes came alongside two interceptions, so one game does not settle how reliable the offense will be over time. ¹

Is the NFC East race already decided?

No. After four weeks, the Giants led at 3-1, but the Eagles and Cowboys were each 2-2. Their games, like the Giants’ game, had gone down to the final moments, and NBC News said no team had separated itself. ³

For readers checking the standings, the useful distinction is between being in first place now and winning the division later. The first is a current result; the second remains to be decided. The sources provide a Week 4 picture, not a reliable forecast of the final standings.

What we don't know yet

When injured quarterback Jaxson Dart will return.
Whether Winston or another quarterback will start in future games.
Whether the Giants can hold first place as the season continues.
How the NFC East standings will look at the end of the season.

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Questions people ask

What was the Giants score against the Cardinals?

The Giants beat the Cardinals 36-24 on October 4, 2026. The win moved New York to 3-1 and into sole possession of first place in the NFC East. ¹

Who made the game-winning play for the Giants?

Deonte Banks intercepted a pass from Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett on the final play and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. The interception stopped Arizona’s chance to tie the game with a touchdown. ¹²

What is the Giants’ record in 2026?

The game report listed the Giants at 3-1 after their victory over Arizona. That is their record after four games, not a prediction of their final season record. ¹

Who is the Giants’ quarterback while Jaxson Dart is injured?

Jameis Winston started in Dart’s place and threw three touchdown passes against Arizona. The available sources do not say when Dart will return or who will start the Giants’ next game. ¹

Are the Giants favorites to win the NFC East?

The sources do not establish a clear favorite. New York was first at 3-1 after Week 4, while Dallas and Philadelphia were 2-2; NBC News described the division race as unsettled. ³

Sources

Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants Live Score and Stats - October 4, 2026 Gametracker — CBS Sports
Deonte Banks' game-sealing pick-six propels Giants into place they haven't been since 2015 — OutKick
Who’s the best team in the NFC East? Through four weeks, it’s anyone’s guess — NBC News, 2026-10-04

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