EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—One week removed from overcoming a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Dallas Cowboys (8-6), the New York Giants (7-7) laid an egg vs. the last-place Washington Redskins (5-9), losing 23-10 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Eli Manning channeled his 25-interception 2010 self, throwing three picks in the Giants' second loss to Washington this season. Worse yet for New York, the Cowboys, 31-15 winners over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, come out of Week 15 atop the NFC East by one game.
"We didn't have enough fight throughout the entire game," Giants safety Antrel Rolle told reporters in the locker room after the game. "This is football, man. If you don't have enough fight, you don't even need to be on the field. That's the bottom line. We got to get that together, we got to get that fixed as a team."
Washington went up 3-0 on kicker Graham Gano's 36-yard field goal in the first quarter, then took a 10-0 lead after receiver Santana Moss caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Rex Grossman early in the second quarter. Later in the quarter, the Redskins' advantage increased to 17-0 on Darrel Young's 6-yard TD run.
With just over 1 minute remaining in the half, Washington decided to go for the jugular, taking a chance on fourth and 1 at New York's 32-yard line, but Grossman's throw to Donte Stallworth in the end zone sailed out of bounds. The Giants took over, drove 46 yards on six plays and Lawrence Tynes kicked a 40-yard field goal.
On New York's second possession in the fourth quarter—when it trailed 23-3—apparent touchdown receptions by D.J. Ware and Hakeem Nicks were wiped out. Ware, initially credited with a 4-yard TD, didn't have full control of the ball as he crossed the goal line, as replays clearly illustrated. Officials reviewed the play and Ware was ruled down at the 2-yard line, where he had actually gained control before being brought down. Manning targeted Nicks on the next play, completing a 2-yard pass for the score—but a holding penalty was called on left tackle David Diehl.
The Giants' hopes of coming back died shortly after when Manning was sacked on fourth down. Fans unsurprisingly began pouring out of the stadium, likely fearing Big Blue will miss the playoffs for a third straight season.
In order for the Giants to guarantee themselves a shot at the NFC East title, they will have to defeat the New York Jets on Christmas Eve.
"We better [win against the Jets]. It's either that or we go home," Rolle warned.
"We have to find a way to get it done," he added. "Everyone needs to get on the same page—coaches and players. And we have to come up with a better plan. Obviously, right now what we're doing is not good enough."
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