Giants Lose Fourth Straight, Fall 21-20: The Giants lost their fourth straight football game earlier today by falling 21-20 to the San Diego Chargers.
The Giants only had four offensive possessions in the first half. The Giants received the football to start the game and drove 60 yards in 12 plays. But the Giants could not convert on 3rd-and-1 and were forced to settle for a field goal. The holder, Jeff Feagles, could not place the ball properly for PK Lawrence Tynes and the Giants turned the football over on downs.
The Giants went three-and-out on their second and fourth drives. New York’s only points of the first half came on a 16-play, 76-yard drive that lasted over 10 and a half minutes. The drive culminated with a touchdown when QB Eli Manning hit WR Steve Smith for a 6-yard score.
San Diego only had four possessions in the first half too. Their only score came on a 6-play, 45-yard drive that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown pass against CB Corey Webster.
At the half, the score was tied 7-7.
The Chargers received the ball first to start the second half but promptly turned it over when S Michael Johnson intercepted a deep pass from QB Philip Rivers at the Giants’ 36-yard line. The Giants only managed to pick up one first down before punting. Again, short yardage was a problem as the Giants were stuffed on 3rd-and-1.
Both teams exchanged punts. Then San Diego put together a 6-play, 51-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown after CB Corey Webster was flagged with a 29-yard pass interference penalty that gave San Diego the ball at the Giants’ 1-yard line. Two plays later, the Chargers took a 14-7 lead.
The Giants then cut the lead to 14-10 by moving 60 yards in 10 plays to set up a successful 38-yard field goal by Tynes.
The Giants forced a three-and-out and New York went ahead 17-14 by driving 39 yards in six plays. Manning found TE Kevin Boss for 8-yard score.
Both teams then exchanged punts in the four quarter. The Giants appeared to put the game out of reach when CB Terrell Thomas picked off Rivers and returned it to the Chargers’ 4-yard line. However, a holding penalty on 1st-and-goal by RG Chris Snee moved the ball back. On 3rd-and-goal from the 9-yard line, the Giants decided to play it conservatively by running the football. Jacobs gained five yards, but the Giants were forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal that gave them a 20-14 advantage.
With just over two minutes to play, San Diego drove 75 yards in 8 plays to win the game. Webster was beat for the 17-yard score with 21 seconds left on the clock.
“This hurts,” said TE Kevin Boss. “It is a real painful loss. I thought we had it. I’m pretty discouraged right now. We have to score a touchdown when we had the ball down low like we did. We had a chance to put the game away and we didn’t. We gave them life, they came back and that is what happens.”
Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were WR Sinorice Moss, WR Ramses Barden, HB Gartrell Johnson, OT Guy Whimper, OC Adam Koets, DE Dave Tollefson, LB Bryan Kehl, and CB and Aaron Ross (hamstring).
Offensively, QB Eli Manning finished the game 25-of-33 for 215 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Pass protection was a problem however as Manning was sacked five times. HB Brandon Jacobs carried the ball 11 times for 67 yards; HB Ahmad Bradshaw carried the ball 14 times for 39 yards. The leading receivers were WR Steve Smith (8 catches for 57 yards and 1 touchdown) and WR Mario Manningham (6 catches for 52 yards).
Defensively, the Chargers were held to 226 total net yards and only 34 net yards rushing. DT Fred Robbins and DE Osi Umenyiora picked up sacks and CB Terrell Thomas and S Michael Johnson intercepted passes.
The Giants were flagged with nine penalties for 104 yards.