Giants Defense Stands Tall Against Rams

(AP Photo)

The play of the Giants defense helps lead them to victory over the Rams 17-10 on Sunday morning in London, England.

After tight end Larry Donnell fumbled the ball on the second play of the Giants’ opening drive, the Rams quickly responded with a ten yard touchdown pass from quarterback Case Keenum to wide receiver Tavon Austin to take a 7-0 lead. On the Rams second drive, Greg Zuerlein kicked a 36 yard field goal to give the Rams a 10-0 lead. The Giants offense could not get anything going in the first and midway through the second quarter, only getting a Robbie Gould 29 yard field goal to have them trail 10-3. That was until there was a special spark on the field to get the Giants into the game.

On a second down play, Keenum attempted to complete a pass to Austin. However, the pass was intercepted by safety Landon Collins, who would break five tackles, follow his blocks and return the ball 44 yards for the touchdown. Twickenham Stadium erupted at this truly incredible play.

Fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, with the Giants tied with the Rams 10-10, Collins made his presence felt again, as he pulled in another interception, after a tip from linebacker Keenan Robinson. On a third down and three, quarterback Eli Manning completed a 22 yard pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to set up the Giants on the Rams’ own six yard line. Running back Rashad Jennings would run the ball in for the game winning score, giving the Giants a 17-10 lead with 9:27 left in the fourth quarter.

Keenum faced constant pressure from the Giants defensive line, getting sacked three times in the game. With the Rams on the Giants’ own 37 yard line, Keenum chucked up a pass into the end zone intended for Austin, but cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pulled in the interception, putting an end to the current Rams drive.

In the final three minutes of the game, the Rams were once again threatening, finding themselves on the Giants’ own 15 yard line. Keenum intended a pass to wide receiver Brian Quick, but could not get all on the pass. The football looked like a routine pop up into left field of a baseball game, with Rodgers-Cromartie waiting in the end zone for the ball to plummet back to Earth, into his gloves. This was the dagger of the game, giving the Giants the victory heading into their bye week.

“We built a tough, physical football team, I think the bye is coming at the right time,” said Giants Head Coach Ben McAdoo. “[We] have a chance to get healthy and have good stretch run at home coming up and get ready for the second half of the season.”

Collins and Rodgers-Cromartie both made their presence felt on the defensive side of the ball, each hauling in two interceptions this game. This is the first time a Giants duo has done this in a single game since Kenny Hill and Terry Kinard did on September 14, 1986 against the San Diego Chargers. Giants’ defense had trouble forcing turnovers throughout the season, but made up for it in today’s game with four forced turnovers.

“My first career touchdown, that felt fantastic, a memory that I’m never going to forget,” said Collins. “Definitely a game-changing moment for the team. It got the ball back into the offense’s hands and it changed the momentum.”

These two particular players were only part of the impressive Giants defensive performance. The Giants were able to hold Rams stud running back Todd Gurley to only 57 yards on fifteen carries. The Giants front seven kept Keenum under pressure and forcing him to make bad throws, which led to his four interceptions in this game.

“The focus on the defense was there,” said Giants defensive end Jason Pierre Paul. “Each week our communication is getting better and better. We’re putting it out there and getting to the quarterback and stopping the run.”

The Giants offense didn’t have the best game statistically, but they did score a necessary touchdown to gain the lead on the Rams. The offense knew they had to get the lead, based on their performance by the defense, who could hold the lead for the Giants.

“They were trying to take away the pass, so we got to check to the run and that’s what I was supposed to do,” said Manning. “The offensive line did a good job and Rashad [Jennings] did a good job getting into the end zone. Big touchdown right there.”

“We needed a play, we needed to do something,” said Beckham, of his 22 yard catch which set up Jennings’ one yard touchdown run. “I had the opportunity and thankfully I came down with it. I’m not going to lie, it was tough.”

The Giants will get a much needed rest on the upcoming bye week to heal up from injuries. The Giants will return at home on November 6 against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles (4-2). NY Giants tickets at Razorgator start at $198 for the November 6th meeting which is higher than every game remaining on the Giants home schedule.  Giants vs. Cowboys tickets on December 11th has the second highest get-in rate at $169.

Team Stats

Total Plays: 57

Total Yards: 232

Penalties: 3-33 yards

Turnovers: 1

First Downs: 13

Player Stats:

Eli Manning: 24/37, 196 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 78.2 QBR.

Rashad Jennings: 13 rushes, 25 yards, 1 TD.

Victor Cruz: 5 receptions, 55 yards.

Odell Beckham, Jr.: 5 receptions, 49 yards.

Landon Collins: 8 tackles, 2 INT.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: 4 tackles, 2 INT.

Damon Harrison: 6 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack.