James Hudson’s mindless penalties help sink Giants

Heroes, zeros and the full blitz from the Giants’ 40-37 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday:

Hero

Brandon Aubrey drilled a 64-yard field goal – two shy of the NFL regular-season record – to tie the game as the fourth-quarter clock expired and then added the walk-off 46-yarder in overtime.

Zero

Everyone who committed a penalty – including four by left tackle James Hudson on the opening drive – and contributed to 14 flags for 160 yards against the Giants (excluding the six penalties that were either offset or declined).

James Hudson is flagged for unnecessary roughness during the Giants-Cowboys game on Sept. 14, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Unsung hero

In his first home game for the Cowboys, George Pickens caught a go-ahead touchdown pass with 52 seconds remaining and then added a 27-yard catch on the game-winning drive in overtime.

He beat Giants’ No. 1 cornerback Paulson Adebo.

Key stat

9: Consecutive scoring drives (five by the Cowboys and four by the Giants) from early in the third quarter until the end of regulation, turning a 13-10 lead for the Giants into a 37-37 tie.

Quote

“If my man (Aubrey) for the Cowboys didn’t have a bionic leg, we probably do win.”

– Wide receiver Darius Slayton