EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Early in the fourth quarter, coach Tom Coughlin couldn’t help himself after seeing Odell Beckham catch a touchdown to give the New York Giants a big lead over the Washington Redskins.
A smile crossed his face for a split second and just as quickly it disappeared.
The relief he was feeling was obvious. The Giants had a 25-6 lead with 13:39 and there was no way they were going to blow it.
There was going to be no repeat of the last-minute losses to Dallas and Atlanta. And there wasn’t as Eli Manning added a 41-yard touchdown pass to Rueben Randle in a 32-21 victory that gave New York its fifth straight win over Washington.
This time, New York (1-2) dominated most of the action against the injury-plagued Redskins (1-2), who lost veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a right leg injury that looked serious.
”I’m not saying our games were anything to write home about, but, in truth, we could have won two games coming into this one tonight and players need the reinforcement, the confidence that comes from pushing a thing through to a win,” Coughlin said. ”I’m hoping that helps in the locker room.”
Needing this one desperately, the Giants went out and got it. .
Rashad Jennings set the tone early blocking a punt for a safety. An interception by Prince Amukamara set up a 1-yard TD run by Andre Williams and the Giants were up 9-0 early and never looked back.
Josh Brown kicked three field goals, and Beckham toasted Bashaud Breeland on a 30-yard post pattern to settle matters. Randle, who caught all seven passes thrown in his direction for 141 yards scored later, after which Washington’s Rashad Ross returned the kickoff 101 yards for the final score.
”Hey, it’s a long season, there’s a lot of football to play,” said Manning, who hit 23 of 32 for 279 yards. ”Our division, it’s too early to know and we can’t run away with right now. But hey, you’ve got to get one win and just keep going. Let’s try to get another.”
The Redskins, who were coming off an impressive win over the Rams, struggled most of the night.
”It’s tough because we felt like there were plays out there that we left out there,” said Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was 30 of 49 for 316 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. ”Bottom line – we just didn’t get it done. Credit the Giants – they did a good job and made the plays, but it’s a frustrating one for us.”
Five things learned in the game:
HALL’S TOE: Hall will have an MRI on his big toe and coach Jay Gruden was not confident that he would return anytime soon, noting that the way that he had to be helped off the field did not inspire confidence of an early return. Hall leads active NFL cornerbacks with 43 interceptions.
RANDLE’S BREAKTHROUGH: Randle had all of four catches for 28 yards through the first two games, and Manning rarely seemed to look for him. That completely changed against Washington, which often single-covered Randle.
He responded with seven receptions on seven targets for 116 yards and the late touchdown.
”I’m just happy I could come in and make some plays and help us win,” Randle said. ”In the pregame, (Eli) said this is going to be a big game for me. He put the pressure on me to make some plays. I definitely wanted the opportunity.”
Beckham was no slouch, either, with seven catches for 79 yards and his TD.
BLOCK THAT PUNT: It’s rare to see a starting running back on a punt team. Jennings not only participates, he contributes big plays.
When Washington’s Tress Way dropped back to punt to end the opening series of the game, Jennings burst through and blocked the kick. It sailed out of the end zone for a safety, and the Giants never trailed.
”Ever since I was a rookie, I’ve always had a knack for blocking punts,” he said. ”You just watch film. I can’t give you all my secrets, but you just anticipate. You practice it every week. It just happened to work out.”
Coughlin has no problem using regulars on kick teams.
”He’s been on it for a while. Yeah, he’s probably got 10 blocks,” Coughlin said, adding that Jennings told him that was how many he had.
NO RUN: Washington came into the game leading the NFL in rushing with a 171.5 yards. New York limited the Redskins to 88 yards on 20 carries, with the final 26 yards coming on a run by Chris Thompson on the final play of the game. Take that away and it’s 62 yards.
UP NEXT: The Redskins will be home on Oct. 4 to face the Eagles in another NFC East game. The Giants hit the road and face former Jets coach Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills.
NOTES: Redskins NT Kedric Golston broke a hand, but returned to the game. Left guard Shawn Lauvao hurt an ankle, while RT Morgan Moses damaged an elbow and OL Josh LeRibeus had a calf injury. Giants RB Orleans Darkwa hurt his knee. … Washington had the ball 28:30, roughly 10 minutes less than it was averaging.
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