Sanders throws 5 TDs as Giants beat Colts 42-24

Indianapolis, IN - Shedeur Sanders threw five touchdown passes, and the New York Giants paired that production with five sacks and three interceptions in a 42-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.

The final margin stood out against an otherwise narrow set of team totals. New York finished with 297 offensive yards, only five more than Indianapolis, and held a 19-16 edge in first downs. The Giants separated themselves statistically in several high-value categories, converting 7 of 13 third downs while the Colts went 3-for-11 and finishing with a plus-two advantage in interceptions.

Sanders completed 28 of 43 passes for 267 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, producing a 111.2 passer rating. His longest completion covered 26 yards, but the defining feature of his performance was how broadly he distributed the touchdown production across New York’s receiving group.

"The five touchdowns are great, but the biggest thing is finishing with 42 points and getting the win," Sanders said. "A lot of guys were involved. When we had opportunities to finish with touchdowns, we did a good job of getting the ball where it needed to go."

Marvin Harrison Jr led all players with 105 receiving yards. Theo Johnson added eight receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, giving Sanders a steady target alongside the game’s leading receiver. The most concentrated scoring production came from Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Nabers caught three passes for 30 yards and two touchdowns, while Tracy turned both of his receptions into scores despite totaling only six receiving yards. Johnson’s touchdown completed the five-score passing performance.

New York did not post a large rushing total, finishing with 46 yards as a team. Cam Skattebo handled most of that work, recording the game’s most carries with 14 and finishing with a game-high 47 rushing yards. His longest gain covered 14 yards. Inside the red zone, the Giants made six trips and scored four touchdowns, compared with one touchdown on three red-zone visits for Indianapolis.

Daniel Jones produced the game’s highest passing-yardage total, completing 26 of 36 attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns. His 35-yard completion was the longest by either quarterback, and he also led Indianapolis with 40 rushing yards on seven carries. The three interceptions, however, left Jones with an 86.8 passer rating.

"Moving the ball and putting up yards doesn’t mean enough when you give the other team the ball three times," Jones said. "That’s on me. There were positive things in the passing game, but I have to be cleaner with the football."

Indianapolis had three receivers finish with touchdown catches. Alec Pierce led the Colts with six receptions for 86 yards and a score, while Josh Downs caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Keenan Allen added five receptions, 49 yards and another score, including a game-long 35-yard reception.

The Colts totaled 237 passing yards and 55 rushing yards as a team, reaching 292 offensive yards overall. Their difficulty on third down was accompanied by a 1-for-2 mark on fourth down. New York converted two of its three fourth-down attempts, giving the Giants winning percentages on both conversion downs without relying on a significant advantage in overall yardage.

New York’s defense supplied pressure and takeaways in equal measure. Abdul Carter recorded two of the Giants’ five sacks. Jevon Holland intercepted a pass, returned it 40 yards and added two pass deflections, while Tremaine Edmunds also recorded an interception and a pass deflection.

"When the ball is available, we want to finish the play," Holland said. "Three interceptions and five sacks are numbers the whole defense can take pride in. Everybody had a hand in the kind of production we expect from our group."

Indianapolis generated some defensive resistance of its own. Grover Stewart recorded both of the Colts’ sacks, and the defense intercepted Sanders once. That production did not mirror New York’s volume of takeaways, and the Giants finished with six red-zone possessions while limiting Indianapolis to three.

The Giants left Indianapolis with an 18-point win even though the teams were separated by only five offensive yards. Sanders’ five touchdown passes, New York’s three interceptions and a 7-for-13 showing on third down supplied the clearest statistical distinctions in the Giants’ 42-24 Week 12 victory.