Oakland Raiders 24, New York Giants 17: Geno Smith average in loss
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

New quarterback, Geno Smith, but same result for the New York Giants who kept it close, but didn’t prevail against the Oakland Raiders.

  • New York Giants 17 (2-10)
  • Oakland Raiders 24 (6-6)
  • NFL, Week 13, Final, Box Score
  • Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, California

So this is how the Ben McAdoo era (potentially) dies … with thunderous applause.

The Oakland Raiders moved into a three-way tie atop the AFC West, spoiling Geno Smith‘s snapping of Eli Manning‘s famous streak, swiping a 24-17 decision away from the Giants at Oakland Alameda County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The game started off in typical fashion for the Giants, as a new quarterback provided only similar results in the early going. New York (2-10) saw the first three drives of the Smith era end in quick three-and-outs, tallying a mere five yards. In between the frustration, Marshawn Lynch reactivated “Beast Mode,” breaking loose for a 51-yard touchdown on the Raiders’ third play from scrimmage.

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The Giants defense would hold the fort afterwards, forcing Oakland into a couple worthless three play drives of their own. A thankful offense would finally capitalize when Smith and company embarked on an 11-play, 74-yard drive that concluded with a one-yard punch by Orleans Darkwa.

Any hope for a lead, however, perished in Smith’s hands, or lack thereof. With the Giants attempting to build a lead in the second quarter, two Smith fumbles wasted strong performances by the defense and special teams. A golden opportunity arose for New York late in the second quarter, when Shane Smith burst through the line on fourth down and wouldn’t even let Marquette King get off a punt, setting the Giants up inside the Oakland. The Raiders were backed up thanks to a deep punt from Brad Wing, and an elite downing from Kalif Raymond.

Alas, points were not to be, as Smith had the ball taken away from him by Khalil Mack. A prior field goal by Giorgio Tavecchio helped Oakland (6-6) take a 10-7 lead into the half.

Ineptitude and dormant offenses continued to star in the third quarter, but Oakland finally broke through with an 8-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard scoring run by DeAndre Washington.

In a rare show of heart, perhaps too little too late, the Giants immediately struck back, as they went 88 yards on their next possession. Smith capped the drive off with his first scoring throw as a Giant, finding Evan Engram on a strong grab from 10 yards out. It was not the last showstopping grab for Engram, who kept a desperation drive alive later on with an Odell Beckham Jr. style one-handed catch allowed the Giants to recreate a one possession game.

Unfortunately for the Giants, the defense, their will completely broken, allowed a score after Engram’s sixth touchdown of the season, allowed the Raiders to put the game out of reach. Needing just four plays, Derek Carr would find Johnny Holten from nine yards out for a 24-14 lead. Engram’s one-handed heroics continued a drive that concluded with a career-long 52 yard field goal from Aldrick Rosas. His ensuing onside kick, however, left much to be desired, as Oakland’s recovery more or less ended the game.

Now at 2-10, the Giants, still filled with plenty of questions about their quarterback and coaching, will next do battle a week from today, taking on the divisional rival Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium (1:00 PM, FOX).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffMags5490

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