Week 17 of the NFL regular season came to a close with 17 Maryland football alumni seeing the field.
By the end of a season, every team holds the goal of winning games and being in postseason discussions. The Giants fell short of both in 2025. However, individual milestones that come across a season-long marathon are noteworthy achievements as well.
Despite a long and forgettable 3-13 season, New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks captured his first career NFL touchdown in a 34-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Banks made three tackles, defended two passes and took a kick return 95 yards for a score on Sunday.
The former Terp has held a role in the Giants’ return game this season, tallying 558 yards on 17 returned kicks. Special teams has helped bolster his talent amid inconsistencies in both health and performance on defense.
Sunday in Las Vegas was a step in the right direction as the 24-year-old looks to end his third season on a high note. He’s at least shown he can play his natural position of defensive back, with the potential to provide a spark on special teams an added bonus.
The Giants’ final game of the 2025 season is set for Sunday, Jan. 4, at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
Week 18 is the final week of the regular season, where both playoff seeding and division titles will be decided. Up first is a Saturday doubleheader on Jan. 3 — the Carolina Panthers kick things off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Seattle Seahawks play the San Francisco 49ers.