New York Giants 31 – Washington Redskins 7

Giants Win Easily, 31-7: The Giants defeated the Washington Redskins 31-7 earlier today at New Meadowlands Stadium. The victory improved the Giants’ record to 8-4 with four regular-season games to play.

The Giants scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the game and never looked back. While both teams were statistically close in first downs, offensive plays, and total net yards, the Giants held huge advantages in rushing yards (197 to 74), time of possession (34:28 to 25:32), and most importantly turnovers as the Redskins turned the football over six times (4 fumbles and 2 interceptions) and the Giants only once (1 interception).

The Giants began the game on offense and, for the first time this season, scored a touchdown on their opening drive. The Giants went 59 yards in 7 plays to take a quick 7-0 lead. HB Brandon Jacobs broke off a 39-yard run on the drive’s second play. Five plays later, Jacobs scored from eight yards out.

Aided by a Redskins’ penalty, the Giants’ defense forced a three-and-out. The Giants then once again drove 59 yards in 7 plays, this time going up 14-0 as HB Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 4-yard touchdown run. A 21-yard pass play from QB Eli Manning to TE Kevin Boss started the possession.

On Washington’s second possession, the Redskins did manage to move the ball from their own 20-yard line to the Giants’ 24-yard line. But there the drive stalled and Washington missed the 43-yard field goal attempt.

The Giants went three-and-out near the end of the the first quarter when Bradshaw was stuffed on 3rd-and-1. The Redskins picked up two first downs and punted. The Giants then drove from their 19 to the Redskins’ 4-yard line, but New York came up empty when Manning’s pass intended for Boss was intercepted in the end zone. The Giants’ defense got the ball back right away as CB Terrell Thomas forced a fumble that was recovered by LB Keith Bulluck and returned to the Redskins’ 39-yard line. Five plays later, Bradshaw scored from 10 yards out.

The Redskins got no further than midfield on their final possession of the first half. At halftime, the Giants led 21-0.

Neither team could move the football on each of their first two possessions of the third quarter. On Washington’s third possession, DE Dave Tollefson forced QB Donovan McNabb to fumble. The loose ball was recovered by CB Corey Webster. Three plays later, Jacobs scored from 28 yards out as the Giants went up 28-0.

The Redskins’ responded with their only scoring drive of the game, going 72 yards in four plays.

The Giants final possession of the third quarter was sabotaged penalties and the Giants punted. Early in the fourth quarter, Thomas intercepted McNabb in the the Giants’ end zone, ending another scoring threat. The Giants picked up one first down and then punted. The Redskins went three-and-out. WR Devin Thomas partially blocked the ensuing punt and the Giants took over at the Washington 13-yard line. The Giants settled for a 28-yard field goal and went up 31-7.

Washington’s last three drives of the game ended in turnovers, including a fumble forced by DE Justin Tuck and recovered by S Antrel Rolle, a fumble forced by S Deon Grant and recovered by DE Jason Pierre-Paul, and an interception off of McNabb by Webster. The Giants’ offense picked up only one first down on their last two drives.

Jacobs finished the game with 103 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 carries. Bradshaw ran for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries. Manning was 15-of-25 for 161 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The leading receiver was Derek Hagan who caught 7 passes for 65 yards. Defensively, Pierre-Paul had 2 sacks and recovered a fumble. Defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck each had sacks as well.

Highlights of the game are available at NFL.com.

Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were WR Steve Smith (pectoral), WR Hakeem Nicks (leg), WR Duke Calhoun, OC Shaun O’Hara (foot), OL David Diehl (hip/hamstring), OL Shawn Andrews (back), DT Linval Joseph, and CB/Returner Will Blackmon (chest).

The Giants did not allow a sack for the fifth game in a row, a new team record.

The Giants ended a 13-game streak without scoring a touchdown on their opening possession.