Giants Lose Second in a Row: The Giants fell 24-17 to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night at the Meadowlands. It was the Giants’ second loss in a row and the defeat dropped their overall record to 5-2.
The Giants led 14-10 at halftime, but the Cardinals out-scored the Giants 14-0 in the third quarter. The Giants added a field goal in the 4th quarter, but it was not enough.
Arizona did not score on their first six possessions of the game, as the Giants’ defense caused two turnovers and forced four punts. But the Cardinals scored 10 points on their final two drives of the first half.
The Giants scored touchdowns on two of their seven first-half drives (not counting the kneel down before the half), but the offense struggled for the most part as the Giants only picked up eight first downs in the first half.
The Giants’ first touchdown was set up by an interception by CB Terrell Thomas that gave the Giants the ball at the Cardinal 29-yard line. Two plays after a 25-yard run by HB Brandon Jacobs, Jacobs scored from four yards out. The other touchdown was a 62-yard touchdown pass from QB Eli Manning to WR Hakeem Nicks. The play was a bit of a fluke as the pass was intended for WR Mario Manningham, deflected, and caught by Nicks on the rebound.
In the second half, the Giants could not get anything going in the third quarter. Their first two drives were three-and-outs and their third drive ended after three plays with an interception. Meanwhile, the Cardinals scored two touchdowns, with one drive starting at their own 45-yard line and the other at the Giants’ 20-yard line after the interception.
The Cardinals were shut out in the fourth quarter. The Giants’ best chance for another touchdown came when New York drove from the Arizona 44-yard line to the 2-yard line. But the Giants settled for a 20-yard field goal to cut the lead to 24-17.
The Giants’ last two possessions ended with turnovers. The first was a fumble by HB Ahmad Bradshaw. The second came after the Giants drove from their own 9-yard line to the Arizona 39. Manning’s pass to WR Steve Smith was picked off with just over a minute to play at the 21-yard line. Arizona kneeled on the ball to end the game.
Lowlights of the game are available at NFL.com.
Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were RT Kareem McKenzie (groin), HB Gartrell Johnson, WR Sinorice Moss, WR Ramses Barden, OC Adam Koets, DT Chris Canty (calf), LB Michael Boley (knee), and CB and Aaron Ross (hamstring).
Offensively, the Giants were limited to 15 first downs. QB Eli Manning was 19-of-37 for 243 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. HB Brandon Jacobs carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards and one touchdown; HB Ahmad Bradshaw carried the ball 12 times for 32 yards. The leading receivers were WR Hakeem Nicks (4 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown), WR Steve Smith (4 catches for 69 yards), and WR Mario Manningham (4 catches for 47 yards).
Defensively, the Cardinals were held to 15 first downs and 72 yards rushing. DE Mathias Kiwanuka and LB Danny Clark picked up sacks. CB Terrell Thomas had one interception. DE Justin Tuck and SS C.C. Brown forced fumbles and FS Michael Johnson recovered a fumble.