Both the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints had thrilling opening week matchups.
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The post Giants Defeat Saints 16-13, 2-0 For First Time Since ’09 appeared first on Cover32.
The Giants’ defense made up for Manning’s fumble deep in NY territory by limited the Saints to just five yards.
Remember in January when Tom Coughlin left Big Blue, there was an NFL Network report that Saints coach Sean Payton was monitoring the Giants situation.
A year after NY and New Orleans combined to score 101 points, the MetLife Stadium rematch saw the teams produce 29 as the Giants posted a 16-13 victory over the Saints on Josh Brown’s 23-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. “I’m excited to see what we can do going forward”. “Two-hundred million we spent”, Manning said to laughter from the media. The Saints defensive backs clearly didn’t want the young receiver to beat them over the top, so his 86 yards on eight receptions came on shorter routes.
Brown’s kick capped a odd game that didn’t live up to pregame expectations of a shootout. With that insignificant toss, Saints quarterback Drew Brees passed Dan Marino’s total of 61,361 yards for third on the NFL’s all-time list.
It might take him until 2019 to move past Manning’s record 530 touchdown passes – Brees entered Sunday with 432 – but both records are within reach for Brees, who has vowed to keep playing at an elite level well into his 40s.
The Saints highlight of the day might be the goal line stand they made midway through the fourth quarter. Drew Brees connected with Willie Snead for a 17-yard touchdown strike to tie the game up at 10. In a sense, you can say that with Eli Manning being able to connect with the three-headed monster of Wide Receivers, it set up Josh Brown to kick his field goals today. Vernon more than held his own, leading the Giants’ defensive line to an impressive performance that was more about presence than production.
Lutz hit a 39-yarder late in the half to get the Saints on the board. Their defense forced three turnovers and did not allow a touchdown. In addition to holdover Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Giants added Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple, Leon Hall, and Darian Thompson. “Anytime we can perform like that, you’ve got to give credit to yourself”. Shepard had a game-high eight catches for 117 yards. Coincidentally, Gene Steratore was also the referee in that game. The Cowboys were limited in Dak Prescott’s first career start, and the Giants secondary will be tested against the Saints offense. Delvin Breaux is out with a broken leg, and fellow starter P.J. Williams left in the first quarter against NY with a possible concussion and concern about his spine. Williams, De’Vante Harris, and Ken Crawley. Brees has averaged 400 yards and 4 TDs on a 70 percent completion percentage in those four contests.
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“Our defense, we’re always going to be prepared to win the game for the whole team”, Casillas said. Immediately after the play was over, players signaled to the sideline for medical assistance.
