The Washington Redskins made all the right plays in the fourth quarter and closed out a much-needed 29-27 victory over their NFC East rival the New York Giants before a stunned crowd at MetLife Stadium.
After starting the season with losses to the Steelers and the Cowboys the Redskins were desperate for a victory.
Down 27-26 late and facing a possible disastrous (0-3) start, the Redskins instead drove 56 yards in 10 plays and the game-winning drive was capped off by a 37-yard field goal by Kicker Dustin Hopkins, who was a career-best five for five for the day, with just under two minutes to play in the game.
The Giants (2-1) got the ball back with plenty of time to win the game but on their last drive quarterback Eli Manning who has 33 career game-winning drives, threw into tight coverage and the pass was intercepted by linebacker Su’a Cravens to seal the win for the (1-2) Redskins.
The Redskin’s passing attack was led by quarterback Kirk Cousins who was 21 for 35 for 296 yards and two touchdowns. DeSean Jackson caught five passes for 96 yards and one touchdown and Pierre Garcon also caught five passes for 59 yards. Jamison Crowder snagged four passes for 78 yards and one score. He also had a 50-yard punt return which led to a field goal.
The ground game was led by Matt Jones who gained 65 yards on 17 carries and was a big part of the final game winning drive. Punter Tress Way had a 31-yard completion to Quinton Dunbar, who also had an interception, which set up a field goal.
Both teams gained over 400 yards of total offense and the Giants helped the Redskins by committing 11 penalties for 128 yards and having three turnovers.
Manning completed 25 of 38 passes for 350 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, one in the Red Zone. Odell Beckham Jr. had seven catches for 121 yards but no touchdowns. Their running attack was led by Shane Vereen who gained 67 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown.
In the first quarter the Giants scored touchdown and the Redskins kicked field goals with New York ahead 14-6 after one quarter. The pattern continued in the second quarter with the score 21 to 9 until Cousins connected with Jackson for an exciting 44-yard touchdown pass to cut the Giant’s lead to 21-16 at the half.
Washington took their first lead of the game with a 55-yard touchdown catch and run from Cousins to Crowder to make the score 23-21 with 9:45 to go in the third quarter. the teams then twice traded field goals with the Redskins making the last one to secure their first road win of the season.
