The New York Giants notched their first victory of the season with an impressive showing against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night. (Getty)
Final
Washington Redskins 0-6-0-15 — 21
New York Giants 12-3-3-14 — 32
They did. They really did it. The New York Giants held on to a fourth quarter lead and notched their first victory of the season, defeating the Washington Redskins at home.
It’s the Giants 97th victory over Washington, the most by any team in the NFL over a single opponent.
Eli Manning threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-32 passing, while Kirk Cousins struggled once again, at MetLife Stadium, going 39-of-49 with a pair of costly interceptions.
Although Washington’s offense did start moving late in the fourth quarter, the Giants had already done enough to cement the lead, thanks to some strong play by star wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle, who both hauled in touchdown receptions.
“We won,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “Smile. Players need the reinforcement that comes with closing out the game with a win.”
New York was missing five starters, including top draft pick Ereck Flowers and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Washington, meanwhile, lost cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a toe injury that looked fairly serious as it happened.
Click here to see a full box score of the matchup and read on for some of the best game highlights:
Rueben Randle Also Recorded a Highlight-Reel Touchdown Catch
Hey, there are other wide receivers on the New York Giants roster that aren’t named Odell Beckham, Jr.
Reuben Randle got in on the offensive action on Thursday night, racking up a game-high 116 yards receiving on seven receptions, including this picture-perfect touchdown catch.
The Redskins Scored 15 Points in the Fourth Quarter
Washington found the end zone, eventually, with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Chris Thompson hauled in a four-yard pass from Kirk Cousins before the Redskins quarterback was able to succeed on the two-point conversion. Then, for good measure, Rashad Ross returned a late-game kickoff for 101 yards into the end zone.
Still, it was too little, too late for the Redskins who had been hindered throughout the night by turnovers and penalties.
Matt Jones Fumbled the Ball out of the End Zone in the Fourth Quarter
That was…not ideal.
After the Washington Redskins offense, finally, started moving the ball down the field, rookie running back Matt Jones lost control of the ball on fourth down and fumbled on the one-yard line. The ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a touchback, giving the Giants possession.
That’s the third turnover of the game for the Redskins, who have not scored a touchdown on Thursday night. Here’s what the Jones play looked like:
Odell Beckham Hauled in a 30-YD TD Reception
Add another catch to the highlight reel.
Odell Beckham, Jr. just keeps catching passes and as far as the Giants are concerned, that works for them. The second-year sensation hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to pad New York’s lead over Washington.
Let’s all be honest, Beckham is good at playing football. And dancing. Definitely dancing:
Unai Unga Picked Off Kirk Cousins Late in the Third Quarter
Giants get a little pressure on Kirk Cousins finally … result is a tipped pass, intercepted by LB Uani Unga.
The Giants offense used most of the third quarter clock with an opening drive that took up more than half of the period and ended with a field goal.
The Giants defense, then, returned the favor.
After it looked as if the Washington offense was, finally, starting to get into a bit of a rhythm, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins threw his second pick of the game. Cousins’ pass was tipped in the middle of the field before Giants’ linebacker Uani Unga was able to haul in the ball.
Cousins is 0-7 when throwing two or more interceptions in a game.
The Giants Led the Redskins 15 – 6 at Halftime
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings got the scoring started on Thursday in an unusual way – by blocking a punt. (Getty)
All field goals, all the time.
After the New York Giants were able to get on the board with a first quarter safety and a touchdown run, the offenses on both side slowed down considerably. And we were left with field goals. Josh Brown and Dustin Hopkins both notched a pair of field goals in the first half.
The biggest difference in the opening 30 came thanks to a Kirk Cousins interception that gave the Giants prime field position on the Washington 20-yard line. The turnover set up the only touchdown in the game. Cousins finished the first half 8-of-15 for 98 yards while Matt Jones led the run game with 33 yards on nine carries.
Eli Manning finished the half 14-of-20 for 148 yards, including a team-best five passes to Odell Beckham Jr.
Let’s see if New York can hang on to a lead.
A Prince Amukamara Interception Led to a Giants Touchdown
The New York Giants needed their secondary to step up and Prince Amukamara answered the call. The veteran defensive back switched from his usual spot at cornerback to play safety on one play and made sure to use the move to his advantage.
Amukama picked off Washington QB Kirk Cousins deep in New York territory, setting up Big Blue at the 20-yard line.
Touchdown Andre Williams. Big block by Nikita Whitlock and another by Dallas Reynolds, who was in there at jumbo TE. #Giants
The Giants were able to execute in the red zone, adding to their cushion with a one-yard touchdown run.
Rashad Jennings Got the Giants on the Board With a Safety
You read that right.
New York Giants starting running back Rashad Jennings was not only playing on special teams but he was making things happen on special teams. Twice, in fact.
Jennings was whistled for a running into the kicker play after the Giants defense forced Washington to punt. Then he followed up with a second block. This time he didn’t run into the kicker, he ran into the ball and forced it out of the end zone. For a safety.
Hey, however you can score, right?
Game Preview
Let’s keep this simple.
The New York Giants need to stop the run. That’s it. The Washington Redskins ground attack has been strong throughout the first two games of the year and with the breakout performance from Matt Jones last week, it seems easy to assume the squad will try an control the game by rushing the ball.
Of course, game plans are easy to execute before the game. It’s harder once the whistle blows. The Redskins offensive line has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, averaging 150-plus rushing yards per game. Alfred Morris is averaging 4.2 yards a carry and Jones is averaging six yards.
The Giants defense, which could be bolstered by the potential return of middle linebacker Jon Beason, needs to get into the backfield and force the Redskins offense to turn to the air. Kirk Cousins has struggled against the Giants, including a four-pick game last year, and with DeSean Jackson still sidelined the Redskins have limited options down the field.