The New York Giants opened the 2009 season with a 23–17 victory over their NFC East rival Washington Redskins in front of a capacity crowd at Giants Stadium on Sunday.
As the game got underway, the Giants were immediately dealt a painful blow as kick returner Danny Ware went down with a dislocated elbow on the opening kickoff and did not return to the game.
On their first possession, starting from their own 20-yard line, Eli Manning and the Giants offense went to work with runs by Brandon Jacobs and crisp passes to Mario Manningham and Kevin Boss for 25 and 11 yards respectively. Manning put together a well-orchestrated drive, but the Giants had to settle for a 28-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal.
On their third possession, the G-Men again moved the ball efficiently downfield but this time they hit pay dirt after Eli Manning connected with Mario Manningham for a 30-yard touchdown catch and run. Manningham caught the ball around the Redskins 30 yard line and eluded several Redskins defenders with nifty footwork on his way to the end zone.
The Giants got another score late in the second quarter, but this time it was the defense’s turn. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora sacked
Washington quarterback Jason Campbell, who fumbled. Umenyiora recovered the loose ball and rumbled 37 yards for the score, bringing the home crowd to its feet in raucous celebration.
Washington received the ball with less than two minutes left in the half and cut into the Giants 17–0 lead after punter Hunter Smith scored on an eight-yard touchdown run off a faked field goal.
The Redskins got a break in the waning minutes of the third quarter as Eli Manning made an ill-advised pass to Steve Smith who was in double coverage. Manning’s pass was intercepted.
But the Giants defense rose to the occasion and prevented Washington from scoring a touchdown thanks in large part to Justin Tuck, who tackled Clinton Portis for a six-yard loss and sacked Jason Campbell. The Skins settled for a 27-yard field goal and cut the score to 17–10.
Starting the fourth quarter, Manning hit Boss for a 24-yard gain to the 50-yard line. But the Giants stalled again in the red zone and had to settle for a field goal.
Getting the ball back with around three minutes left in the game, Manning and Boss hooked up for a 27-yard reception, before a short pass to Ahmad Bradshaw brought the G-Men to the Skins’ 10-yard line. But again, Washington’s defense held the Giants to a field goal.
With the score 23–10 Giants, the Skins went to the hurry-up offense and drove the length of the field culminating with tight end Chris Cooley hauling in a 17-yard touchdown. The Skins were within six with 1:30 remaining.
Washington then tried the onside kick but the Giants recovered and ran out the clock.
Despite the interception, Eli Manning had a solid game completing 20 of 29 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown.
Speaking with WFAN, head coach Tom Coughlin was also pleased with his team’s win but knows there’s room for improvement, “We made some mistakes, but did some good things. Obviously we still have a lot of work to do but we’re happy to come out with the win.”
