The Sports Xchange
Oct 23, 2016
Landon Collins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie each had two interceptions, fueling a strong defensive effort in the New York Giants' 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Collins returned his first interception for a highlight-reel touchdown and set up Rashard Jennings' go-ahead touchdown run in the fourth quarter with his second pick of the game.
The Giants (4-3) intercepted Rams quarterback Case Keenum four times. New York had only three takeaways all season before Sunday.
Both of Rodgers-Cromartie's picks came in the end zone in the fourth quarter. New York also sacked Keenum three times and handed the Rams (3-4) their third straight loss.
Even with the win, it has been an ugly week for the Giants and the NFL. Both are facing a firestorm of criticism over the handling of the domestic abuse allegations against Giants kicker Josh Brown, who was placed on the commissioner's exempt list Friday. Brown, who admitted to years of abusive behavior toward his ex-wife in newly released police documents, did not make the trip to London and his days in the NFL could be over.
Veteran Robbie Gould was signed this week and handled the kicking duties Sunday. Gould hit a 29-yard field goal in the first half.
Keenum led the Rams into Giants' territory in the final two minutes. They were at the New York 15-yard line with one minute left, before a miscommunication between Keenum and receiver Brian Quick resulted in Cromartie's second interception in the end zone.
The Rams jumped out a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, with Keenum hooking up with Tavon Austin on a 10-yard touchdown pass.
But Collins jumpstarted the Giants in the second quarter, picking off a tipped pass and weaving his way 44 yards for a touchdown that tied the score 10-10 with 7:31 left in the first half.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who has never lost to the Rams, completed 24 of 37 passes for 196 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception. Odell Beckham Jr. had five catches for 49 yards.
Keenum finished 32 of 53 for 291 yards with a touchdown and the four interceptions.
Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley was held to 57 yards on 15 carries.
It was a crucial game for both teams. The Giants began the day two games back in the loss column of the first-place Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East. Likewise, the Rams also started the weekend two games behind the first-place Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.
NOTES: Sunday's game was the first sport other than rugby to be played at Twickenham Stadium. ... The Giants have defeated the Rams eight straight times. ... Giants special teams star Dwayane Harris was injured right before the end of the first and had to be assisted off the field. Harris did return from what the Giants called a lower-back injury. ... The Cincinnati Bengals will play the Washington Redskins next week at Wembley Stadium in London, the last of three games played in the United Kingdom this season.