New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants Match Player Stats On Sep 18, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Sep 18, 2016

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A year after New York and New Orleans combined to score 101 points, the MetLife Stadium rematch saw the teams produce 29 as the Giants posted a 16-13 victory over the Saints on Josh Brown's 23-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

The low-scoring game saw the teams tied twice, including with 2:54 minutes left when New Orleans kicker Wil Lutz made a 45-yard field goal to knot the score at 13-13.

Both offenses squandered away opportunities. The Giants turned the ball over three times in the second quarter on fumbles by running back Shane Vereen, quarterback Eli Manning and receiver Victor Cruz.

The Saints, however, weren't able to capitalize on the Giants' miscues, though they came close to doing so after driving to the 20-yard line following the turnover by Manning. Defensive end Paul Kruger fell on the ball which came on a sack.

Instead, New York came away with the score as Lutz's 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked by defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and scooped up for a score by cornerback Janoris Jenkins. The blocked field goal returned for a score was the Giants' first since Dec. 7, 2008 in a home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Leading 7-3 at the half, New York had a chance to increase its advantage, however, Brown pulled the 53-yard attempt wide left. Brown, who had served a one-game suspension in the season opener, would later convert field goals of 48 and 19 yards.

Earlier, Drew Brees and the Saints tied the game at the top of the fourth quarter when the quarterback found receiver Willie Snead for a 17-yard touchdown over the middle to make it 10-10.

Saints cornerback P.J. Williams gave everyone a scare when he was hit on the head twice on a first-quarter tackle attempt of Giants tight end Larry Donnell. Williams was removed from the field on a head board, his neck stabilized. Williams was taken to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion. Williams was able to move his fingers and toes, according to FOX Sports.

With the win, the Giants are 2-0 for the first time at the start of the season since 2009. Head coach Ben McAdoo joins Dan Reeves (1993) and Joe Alexander (1926) as just the third head coach in franchise history to win his first two games.

The Giants will host Washington next week while the Saints (0-2) will host the Atlanta Falcons.

NOTES: Saints QB Drew Brees' 263 passing yards bumped his career total to 61,589 yards. That moved him ahead of Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins for third place on the NFL's all-time passing yardage total leaderboard. Only Peyton Manning (71,940) and Brett Favre (71,838) have more career passing yards. ... Giants QB Eli Manning's 386 passing yards this week marked the 40th time his career than he topped the 300-yard passing mark. ... New York CB Leon Hall recorded his first career sack in 123 games when he dropped Brees for a 11-yard loss in the second quarter. Earlier in the game, teammate Landon Collins became the first member of the Giants to record the unit's first sack of the season. ... Saints OT Zack Strief suffered a chest injury in the third quarter. ... Giants RT Marshall Newhouse suffered a calf strain late in the fourth quarter and did not return.