Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr. and the rest of the New York Giants fell short against the Washington Redskins, 29-27.
- New York Giants 27 (2-1)
- Washington Redskins 29 (1-2)
- NFL, Final, Box Score
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
If you were to call this game a back-and-forth affair, you’d be severely underselling the idea. What transpired on Sunday between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins was football madness ultimately winding up in favor of the Skins by the final of 29-27.
With New York receiving the ball with two minutes left and a full compliment of timeouts, Eli Manning threw an interception to Su’a Cravens on a ball intended for Shane Vereen. The clutch one simply did not come through when it was there in front of him.
Oh wow.
Su'a Cravens picks off Eli Manning.
And that should do it… #WASvsNYG https://t.co/FmxFRRIu0g— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
It’s a crushing blow for Ben McAdoo’s squad who started the game in full control. Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa and Sterling Shepard all scored in the first half leading to a 21-9 second quarter lead.
The @sterl_shep3 route was PERFECT.
The Eli pass was PERFECT.6 points. ? #GiantsPride #WASvsNYG https://t.co/W7Flxv31Ur
— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
However, despite not capitalizing in the red-zone early on, Kirk Cousins kept on chipping away. This 44-yard post route to Desean Jackson led to their first touchdown of the day:
Cousins goes DEEP.
Hello, D-JAX!
6 POINTS ? #HTTR #WASvsNYG https://t.co/F87U9NnFCk— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
New York was seemingly still in control of the game in the third quarter. One of the key turning points came when head coach Jay Gruden pulled off an incredible fake punt:
? FAKE PUNT ALERT! ?
It's a PASS.
And a @Redskins first down. ? #HTTR #WASvsNYG https://t.co/Lt9Lrp0sUW— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
This play eventually led to another Dustin Hopkins field goal (5-for-5 on the day) and another lead change.
The series of the drive happened early in the 4th-quarter. Manning was doing damage with Odell Beckham Jr.:
OMG. OBJ.
Odell escapes Josh Norman…
WHAT. A. CATCH. #WASvsNYG https://t.co/B2O9Fc18VB— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
See ya later. ?@OBJ_3 stiff-arms @J_No24.
Spins by him.
And ????? #WASvsNYG https://t.co/0Tg8rCxUEn— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
Eventually, though, Quinton Dunbar snagged one on a Will Tye post route that he seemed to stop short:
Wowwwwwwwwww.
Quinton Dunbar only needs ONE hand to pick off Eli Manning in the end zone. #WASvsNYG https://t.co/QWgmXu5hqQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
Afterwards, OBJ went nuts on the sideline and appeared to cry:
Odell Beckham Jr. handling adversity like a pro. https://t.co/6SroGA5Y6V
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) September 25, 2016
Odell Beckham Jr. crying after his temper tantrum ? pic.twitter.com/KW1KYDmsl9
— The MoCo Show (@TheMoCoShow) September 25, 2016
On the Giants next possession, Beckham dropped an 8-yard comeback on 2nd-down. The Giants settled for a Josh Brown field goal to regain the lead.
But it wasn’t enough as Cousins and the run game methodically drove the length of the field resulting in the game-winning field goal.
The loss drops New York to 2-1 while propelling Washington to its first win of the season.
Game Notes:
Odell Beckham Jr. became the fastest player to reach the milestone of 200 catches (30 games).
The fastest ever to 200 career receptions (30 games).#OdellBeckham #NYG pic.twitter.com/unIsqkLzf8
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) September 25, 2016
Giants center Weston Richburg became the first NFL player to ever receive an ejection under the new rule of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game.
Rookie cornerback Eli Apple injured his hammy, left the game in the first half and did not return.
Manning finished the game with 350 yards and a score on 28-of-35 passing. Beckham went for 121 on seven receptions.
