ATTACK: A

The Giants scored more points on Sunday (45) than in the previous three games this month combined (32). Malik Nabers showed off playmaking skills that had been hidden since his concussion early in the season, turning short passes into big touchdown plays. Drew Lock had one of the greatest statistical games of all time with four TD passes and a rushing score that essentially earned him an NFL contract as a backup player for next season. There were no turnovers and the makeshift offensive line didn’t allow a sack.

DEFENSE: C

These Giants kept things way too interesting by allowing the Colts to march up and down the field with long plays and consistency. The Colts accumulated 446 yards, had five plays of more than 20 yards and reached the Giants’ 35 yards on nine of their first 10 possessions. But there were a few stands, including a crucial third-and-four-and-1 stop in the third quarter, two interceptions by Dane Belton and Dru Phillips, a missed Colts field goal and a stuffed hook-and-lateral for a two-point conversion that could have tied the score in the fourth quarter. Brian Burns had three tackles for a loss.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

The Frisbee-catching pooches of Mutts Gone Nutts had barely left the field after their halftime show when Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a rushing touchdown. He was untouched and didn’t need much help, but Tomon Fox and Bryce Ford-Wheaton provided nice blocks to aid the effort. Graham Gano scored late with a 30-yard field goal.

COACHING: A

Whatever the merits for the Giants in April – or for his own future after next week – Brian Daboll has the Giants playing hard despite a slump that most coaches couldn’t have controlled. The game plan wasn’t particularly fancy, but it was simple enough to beat a Colts team that was still fighting for a playoff spot but looked like it would be the team that came out on top. Should we give Daboll points for not calling a hook-and-lateral on a two-point conversion like the Colts did?

Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He was previously a beat writer for Newsday’s Giants from 2008.