Seattle Seahawks 23 – New York Giants 0

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Seattle Seahawks 23 – New York Giants 0: The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New York Giants 23-0 on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With the loss, the Giants fell to 5-9 on the season, ensuring their first losing season since 2004.

The final score was closer than the actual game. The Seahawks led 13-0 at halftime as the Giants were held to two first downs and 54 total net yards. By the end of the third quarter, the Giants had four first downs. New York did not cross midfield on offense until mid-way through the fourth quarter. By game’s end, Seattle out-gained the Giants in first downs (21 to 12), total net yards (327 to 181), net yards rushing (134 to 25), net yards passing (193 to 156), and time of possession (33:58 to 26:02).

QB Eli Manning threw five interceptions and completed 18 of 31 passes for 156 yards. He also fumbled twice (both fumbles being recovered). Manning now has 25 interceptions on the season. RB Andre Brown was the Giants’ leading rusher with 17 yards on 11 carries. WR Jerrel Jernigan was the leading receiver with seven catches for 67 yards, mostly coming in garbage time.

Given the offensive ineptitude, the defense actually played decently in holding Seattle to only 23 points and 327 yards. Seattle scoring drives were 11 yards (field goal), 62 yards (touchdown), 40 yards (field goal), 39 yards (field goal), and 16 yards (touchdown). S Antrel Rolle intercepted one pass (his sixth of the season) and the Giants sacked QB Russell Wilson four times and hit him seven times. RB Marshawn Lynch was held to 47 yards on 16 carries.

“I expected a great effort today,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin after the game. “I think defensively and with our special teams, we got it. Offensively we did not – there’s no way to sugarcoat it. A pathetic offensive performance – we didn’t block anybody, we didn’t make any plays, we didn’t create any opportunities for ourselves. I told the players who prepared and gave great effort that I appreciated what they did, and I told those that were obvious they had not, that I felt sorry for them because they’re missing the whole point.”

“Coach Coughlin can’t take any of this blame,” said Rolle after the game. “Like I said, personally, I won’t allow that. He can’t take any of this blame. Coaches coach and they did a phenomenal job getting us prepared for this. We had a great week of practice. Everything that we saw out there from their offense, we went over with our coaches, defensive coordinator, assistant coaches, so forth and so on, and they did an exceptional job preparing us for today. Coach Coughlin, he’s a coach, but he can’t coach heart, he can’t make a play or have heart, he can’t make a player have passion about this game, and that’s what we were lacking out there today. Like I said, coach can say what he wants, but personally, I won’t allow him to take that because coaches coach and the players play the game.”

“Obviously sometimes out there today, we looked like we didn’t have a pulse and you can never do that playing a game of this magnitude, playing a game that’s this physical and playing an opponent like the Seattle Seahawks that live and die by pride, swagger, confidence,” said Rolle. “We knew that coming into the game today. They imposed their will on us today.”

Video low-lights are available at at Giants.com.

Post-Game Injury Report: WR Victor Cruz left the game with a concussion and what is believed to be a sprained knee. RB Peyton Hillis also left the game with concussion symptoms. LG James Brewer left the game with an ankle injury.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The transcript and video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference are available at Giants.com.

Player Post-Game Media Sessions: Transcripts and video of post-game media sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• WR Hakeem Nicks (Video)
• OG Kevin Boothe (Video)
• OT Justin Pugh (Video)
• DE Justin Tuck (Video)
• DE Mathias Kiwanuka (Video)
• CB Prince Amukamara (Video)
• CB Terrell Thomas (Video)
• S Antrel Rolle (Video)

New York Giants Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were QB Ryan Nassib, TE Adrien Robinson, OL Stephen Goodin, DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), LB Allen Bradford, CB Corey Webster (ankle), and S Cooper Taylor (hamstring).

The Giants were shut out for the first time at home in a regular-season game since 1995.

This is the first time the Giants have suffered two shutout defeats in the same season since 1996.

QB Eli Manning’s five interceptions increased his career total to 169, which is a new Giants’ record. Conerly had held the mark with 167.

The Giants have at least one turnover in all 14 games this season.