Landover, MD – It was a tale of two halves for the New York Giants, who scored 21 unanswered second half points to top the Washington Redskins 24-17.

The Giants defense, which has been under fire for its subpar performance the first two games, limited Washington to just five third down conversion all game forcing three three-andouts and coming up with a huge turnover midway through the fourth quarter as the Redskins fell to 2-1 on the season.

Washington missed a 39 yard field goal attempt on their opening drive, giving the Giants the ball back on their own 30. Nine plays later, Lawrence Tynes poked in a 34-yard field goal from the left hash.

After going three and out on their next possession, the Redskins came up with a huge break when Andre Carter beat Giants’ left tackle David Diehl for a 13-yard sack and forced fumble on quarterback Eli Manning. The loose ball was scooped up by London Fletcher to give the Redskins first and goal on the Giants’ six, and two plays later, Clinton Portis checked into the end zone from the one yard line to give the Redskins the 7-3 lead.

Washington made it 14-3 in the second quarter. Jason Campbell completed a big third down pass to tight end Chris Cooley , who was not covered. Then on the ensuing play, Campbell connected with Santana Moss on a 49-yard pass completion as Moss beat corner Sam Madison in coverage to give the Redskins first and goal on the ten. Two plays later, on third and goal from the eight.

Cooley was again wide open for the eight yard touchdown reception as Corey Webster went to the outside and Cooley went inside where Aaron Ross was late in getting over.

The Giants continued to fall deeper into a hole as on second and ten from the 32, Eli Manning appeared to have finally connected with Plaxico Burress for a 17-yard reception. However the play was reviewed and the ruling on the field was reversed, meaning that Burress recorded his fourth drop of the first half.

But that was the least of the Giants’ worries as on the next play, Eli Manning’s pass intended for Jeremy Shockey was tipped by Demetric Evans and picked off by London Fletcher who returned it nine yards to the Giants’ 34. 

Four plays later, it was kicker Shaun Suisham making it 17-3 with his 47-yard field goal coming in the closing seconds of the half.

The Giants came out in the second half somewhat more mellow after their rough first half performance. Eli Manning completed two third-down passes to Burress for a total of 30 yards and also had a big third and eight to Jeremy Shockey for 31 yards which set up a first and goal from the one. Then it was Reuben Droughns walking into the end zone for the touchdown to close the scoring gap to 17-10.

The Giants continued to move forward, but as has been the past, they began shooting themselves in the foot.  With first and ten from the 25, Chris Snee was called for a false start. Then on the next play, Manning, under pressure, threw a wild pass intended for Burress who was deep down field, only to see Redskins safety Sean Taylor pick off the pass to squelch the Giants drive.

No matter as the Giants managed to even the score in the fourth quarter. On their third play of the period, a third and five., Ward took the handoff and appeared to fumble the ball away. However, the Giants challenged the ruling on the field and the reply showed that Ward was down by contact and the Giants retained possession. Following a false start by David Diehl, Amani Toomer came up with a nine-yard reception to give the Giants second and goal at the one. Then it was Reuben Droughns rushing for a one-yard touchdown to make the score 17-17 with 12:33 left in the game.

The breaks continued to come the Giants way, as after exchanging possessions with the Redskins, Clinton Portis bobbled the exchange from Campbell on the 43 yard-line and the ball recovered by Antonio Pierce. Then three plays later on third and seven, Burress drew a big pass interference penalty called against Shawn Springs. Following a one yard rush by Ward, Manning then found Burress across the middle of the field for a 33 yard touchdown, a play in which Burress took a crushing hit as he crossed the goal line.

But the Redskins weren’t about to make it easy for the Giants as on their final possession of the game, they drove all the way to the Giants one where they were denied not once, not twice but four times by the Giants defense as Kawika Mitchell came up with two big plays in a row on second and third down and James Butler came up with a big stuff on a Ladell Betts run on fourth down to seal the deal to give New York the 24-17 win, their first of 2007.

Game Notes
The Giants inactives were WR Steve Smith, RB Brandon Jacobs, S Craig Dahl, LB Gerris Wilkinson, T Adam Koets, G Kevin Boothe, TE Kevin Boss, and Jared Lorenzen (3rd QB).

Washington's inactives include CB Fred Smoot, S Vernon Fox, DT Ryan Boschetti, OG Randy Thomas, DL Lorenzon Alexander, TE Cody Boyd, WR Reche Caldwell and 3rd QB Mark Brunell.