Landon Collins ran down the home sideline and into a time machine. 

Suddenly it was 2016 again, and Collins was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate for a unit that carried the Giants into the playoffs. The MetLife Stadium crowd was flooded with warm memories Sunday as Collins returned an interception 52 yards for the touchdown that buried the Colts and sent the Giants back to the playoffs for the first time in six years with a 38-10 rout. 

“I didn’t hear the crowd,” Collins said. “I was like, ‘I’m not getting caught. I’m getting this touchdown.’ ” 

The only player on the active roster who has appeared in a playoff game for the Giants was slapping hands with fans hanging over the front row in the sections behind the end zone as he waited for teammates to catch up and celebrate. Collins left the Giants as a three-time Pro Bowler who was at his best with 125 tackles, five interceptions and four sacks in 2016 and had his official welcome back in this home finale. 

“It’s a totally different time,” Collins said. “We’re having fun, but [my memory] didn’t go back to 2016.” 

A lot has happened in six years: Collins signed a record $84 million contract with the rival Commanders in 2019. He trash-talked, especially former general manager Dave Gettleman for not allowing him to live his oft-stated dream to be a career-long Giant. He was cut after three injury-plagued seasons in Washington. He met a quiet free-agent market and rejoined the Giants via the practice squad after months out of the NFL. 

“I’m just glad to be back here,” Collins said. “I took this opportunity to showcase my skills and show I’ve still got it and be a playmaker. Never did [want to leave]. It’s very satisfying, and hopefully it continues all the way in time until I hang them up.” 

Collins played in Weeks 7 and 8 and then idled on the practice squad for five straight games until making a few big hits in a win against the Commanders. Then, after he was signed to the active roster, he had a sack and a pass breakup against the Vikings. 

Safety Xavier McKinney joked that Collins’ celebration on big plays is “trash,” but he welcomes seeing it. 

“He worked his ass off every day,” McKinney said. “We’re really happy he’s on our defense because he really helps us, not just on the field but in the film room where he’s seen stuff we haven’t seen before.” 

Making his first start of the season, Collins dropped into coverage on a third-and-11 late in the first half. He cut in front of Parris Campbell and was off to the races, arms swinging and legs pumping. 

“I’m a big formation [studier],” Collins said. “I watched this play almost six times throughout the week, and I saw [Campbell] breaking out and I had the flat. I just broke underneath it and took it to the house.” 

Kayvon Thibodeaux chased down the ball for Collins to keep as a souvenir that he raised to the crowd as he ran off the field. 

“That’s a part of his story now,” Thibodeaux said, “so I just had to make sure he got that ball.”