Nabers/Tracy make history

The Giants offense was pathetic and inept for most of the season. What makes it all the more impressive is that Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr. became the third NFL/AFL rookie duo to cross 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season.

Nabers has 1,142 total yards and Tracy has 1,057. It’s nice to have a strong rookie, but it’s twice as nice to have two on offense to build on.

“It’s great praise for him and me that we managed to do that in practice,” said Nabers. “Do our job and then come in the game and help the team win and do as much as we can to help us win.”

When the Giants select a quarterback in April, he will come into the locker room with a No. 1 receiver and a versatile running back.

Tracy planned to give his game jersey to his mother so she could frame it at home. He signed it with the words “Keep Grinding,” something the Giants hope he and Nabers continue to do.

“I believe we are here for a reason,” Tracy said. “I think this is just the beginning of something special.”

Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s touchdown

In Smith-Marsette, the Giants have produced another impressive player this season.

He had a touchdown on a punt return on Dec. 8 that was negated by a penalty, so he was poised for his first kickoff return for a touchdown on Sunday, a 100-yard run to start the second Half time.

“Yeah, it feels a little more special. “That counted,” Smith-Marsette said. a Newark native attended by 10 friends and family members. “This point is actually written in the statistics that it is a touchdown. Thanks to the 10 blockers; it is also special for her. Because we worked hard all year long.”

Bye No. 1 draft pick? Bye QB?

After Sunday’s win, the Giants sit fourth in the NFL draft order behind the Patriots, Titans and Browns. It will be difficult to get back to No. 1 as the Giants lose a tiebreaker to each of the other three teams due to the strength of the schedule.

The Giants face an Eagles team in the season finale that could have several players sidelined. The other matchups are Patriots-Bills, Titans-Texans and Browns-Ravens. The Bills, Texans and Ravens have secured their place in the playoffs and could also rest important players.

In short, the win likely costs the Giants the top pick in 2025. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get a quarterback, considering the Patriots and Browns already have one.

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and Memphis Grizzlies, as well as prep sports in Los Angeles.