Kansas City Chiefs 31 – New York Giants 7

The Defense Played Tough for Three Quarters – © USA TODAY Sports Images

The New York Giants Fall to 0-4: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New York Giants 31-7 on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. With the loss, the Giants fall to 0-4. The last time the Giants started 0-4 was in 1987, with two of those losses being replacement games during the NFL strike.

“Coming into the season, if you told me I was 0-4, I wouldn’t have believed you,” WR Victor Cruz said after the game.

“Right now we’re low as you can get,” said DE Justin Tuck. “We’re going to find a way to right this ship. Or we’re going to die trying.”

The game was closer than the final score would indicate. For the most part, the Giants’ defense performed adequately but received no support from the offense and special teams.

The Chiefs led the Giants 17-7 at the start of the fourth quarter, the difference being a successful 51-yard field goal by the Chiefs, a 44-yard missed field goal by PK Josh Brown, and an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown by the Chiefs late in the third quarter. A 43-yard punt return by WR Rueben Randle was also called back by an unnecessary block-in-the-back penalty on DE Justin Trattou.

The only real significant defensive lapse for three quarters was the 11-play, 98-yard scoring drive on the Chiefs’ third possession of the game. The Giants, however, quickly responded with a 2-play, 74-yard touchdown drive with the touchdown coming on a 69-yard pass from QB Eli Manning to WR Victor Cruz.

The Giants did very little on offense the rest of the game as New York was 1-of-14 on third down (7 percent) while the Chiefs were 9-of-16 on third down (56 percent). The Giants had six first-half possessions. They had the one big scoring play, but also punted three times and turned the football over when Manning was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The Giants had a chance to tie the game at the end of the first half, but Brown missed the field goal.

In the second half, the Giants could not pick up one first down in their first five possessions of the third quarter. In all, in the third and fourth quarters, the Giants punted five times, turned the ball over twice (one interception and one fumble), and turned the ball over on downs late in the game.

Defensively in the second half, the Giants picked off QB Alex Smith twice and forced two punts in the third quarter. But in the fourth quarter, the defense finally broke by giving up a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive (which was extended by a special teams penalty) and a 3-play, 35-yard yard touchdown drive after a fumble by RB Da’Rel Scott.

Offensively, Manning finished the game 18-of-37 for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. RB David Wilson had 55 yards on 13 carries. Cruz caught 10 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, linebackers Mark Herzlich (8) and Spencer Paysinger (7) led the team in tackles. Paysinger was also credited with one sack and recovered a fumble. S Antrel Rolle and CB Prince Amukamara each had interceptions.

“The coach said once we’re fed up with how we’re playing, we’ll do something about it,” Tuck said. “Obviously we’re not fed up yet.”

Video lowlights are available at NFL.com.

Injury Report: LB Mark Herzlich injured his toe in the game. X-rays were negative, but Herzlich was wearing a protective boot in the locker room. DE Jason Pierre-Paul suffered a knee contusion. DE Justin Tuck injured his neck but returned to the game. CB Jayron Hosley strained his hamstring and did not return. CB Aaron Ross injured his back and was replaced by CB Trumaine McBride.

Post-Game Press Conference Highlights from Coughlin and Manning: Video highlights from the post-game press conferences with Head Coach Tom Coughlin and QB Eli Manning are available at NFL.com.

Post-Game Player Media Q&As: Video clips of the post-game media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

• WR Victor Cruz (Video)
• WR Hakeem Nicks (Video)
• LB Spencer Paysinger (Video)
• S Antrel Rolle (Video)
• PK Josh Brown (Video)

Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, TE Adrien Robinson (foot), OC David Baas (neck), OG Chris Snee (hip), DT Johnathan Hankins, CB Corey Webster (hip), and S Cooper Taylor (shoulder).