The Giants and Eli Manning were happy to just be able to celebrate a win once again. The last six weeks have been frustrating, not like anyone is counting or anything like that.
Manning said, it’s been a very long time. Our last win came 42 days ago. It did feel that long.
With 3:54 elapsed in overtime, Lawrence Tynes booted through a field goal from 36 yards, making up for a miss earlier in the game to give the Giants a 34-31 win on Sunday over Atlanta. The victory snapped the Giants’ four game losing streak and came after New York’s defense blew a lead of 14 points during the fourth quarter.
Tom Coughlin, Giants coach said, it’ just nice to get a win. For a month we’ve been really miserable around here.
Manning passed for 384 yards, his career high. He also threw three touchdowns, with two going to Kevin Boss. The Giants were able to keep up with Dallas, who leads the NFC East. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins to maintain their one game lead in the division.
However, New York won’t be able to savor their win for long. On Thanksgiving they play in Denver.
Manning said, there isn’t a better feeling than being in the locker room following a win. It’s great seeing the smiles and high fives, especially after you haven’t felt that in a while.
It was the first game passing for 300 yards in Giants Stadium for Manning. He was able to set up the winning field goal by Tynes when he connected on a pass of 29 yards with Mario Manningham to take New York down to the 23 yard line. The Giants hadn’t won a game since October 11 when they defeated the Raiders 44-7. However, this win didn’t come easily.
New York’s defense, which was playing without Antonio Pierce, injured linebacker, wasn’t able to hold their 31-17 lead versus the Falcons and Matt Ryan.
Coughlin, referring to his defense said, I’m concerned.
The Giants lost Brandon Jacobs, running back, as well late third quarter due to a right leg injury. There were no updates from Coughlin regarding Jacobs injury, but he was on the Giants sideline at the end of regulation and during overtime.
With 6:01 remaining in regulation, Ryan throw a scoring pass of 4 yards to Eric Weems. Then with only 28 seconds left he connected on an 11 yard pass with Tony Gonzalez to tie the game.
Ryan said, it is very disappointing. We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted. There were great efforts and great contributions from many of the guys during the second half. We were down 14 points and were able to come back. However with all that said, there’s no such thing as a moral victory.
After going 4-1 to start the season, the Falcons (5-5) have now lost four games out of their last five.
Mike Smith, Atlanta coach said, I told the team that our last six weeks have been a very long road. Four of our last six games have been played against teams coming off of their byes.
Ryan went 26 for 46 for a total of 268 yards and also threw two touchdown passes. Gonzalez caught 8 passes for a total of 82 yards and also scored. Jason Snelling who was filling in for Michael Turner who was injured, had two running touchdowns.
The victory gave the Giants the first home win in the series with the Falcons since 1979 when New York defeated Atlanta. Twelve series games in a row had been won by the visiting team. Atlanta had a decent chance of making that 13 consecutive games.
Ryan said, it was a very disappointing loss. However we can’t get discouraged.
With 12:08 left to play, Madison Hedgecock scored on a touchdown catch of 3 yards to make the score 31-17. However Atlanta was able to storm right back.
On a drive of 12 plays Ryan was able to convert three third downs, capped by a touchdown catch by Weems.
Once again the Giants had problems on the tying drive for the Falcons, allowing Ryan to convert on third down twice with passes. After throwing an incomplete pass intended for Gonzalez, Ryan connected with his tight end to score the touchdown.
The overtime toss was won by the Giants after Gene Steratore, referee, fumbled on his first flip of the coin. Once again Manning went to work.
Manning said, I knew especially during the second half that we had been moving the ball well. I was feeling good and glad we were able to get the football first. It gave us a chance to get out and win the game.
A touchdown run of 7 yards by Snelling early second quarter gave the Falcon a 7-3 lead. He was filling in for Turner, who in last week’s games versus Carolina sprained his ankle. Atlanta, for the fifth game in a row, was also playing without Jerious Norwood.
New York responded with their own drive down field, assisted by a nice sideline catch of 33 yards by Manningham. However the drive stalled on the 14 yard line of the Falcons. Tynes was given the opportunity to bring the Giants to within one point, but was wide on his attempt from 31 yards.
Tynes said, I knew that would haunt us. I knew even when we were leading by 14 points that I would need to make my amends. Lucky for me, I got the chance to do that.
Coming out for the second half Atlanta had a drive of 8 plays, capped by Snelling’s one yard run for a touchdown.
Mid third quarter, a run of two yards by Jacobs put the Giants up 24-14. Jason Elam then booted a field goal of 25 yards to make it a 7 point game.
