 had the ball trailing 21-14 with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter. Jones completed a pass to running back Jon HIlliman, who was hit in the backfield by Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins, forcing a fumble. Kyle Van Noy recovered, sprinted 22 yards and stretched the ball to the pylon for the touchdown . It was part of an error-filled game by both offenses, who entered the night dealing with key injuriesThe Giants were missing three of their top playmakers. Running back Saquon Barkley sat a third straight game because of a sprained right ankle, tight end and leading receiver Evan Engram was inactive with a knee injury and receiver Sterling Shepard was in the concussion protocol. Barkley's backup Wayne Gallman also sat with a concussion. The Patriots played without running back Rex Burkhead, who missed his second straight game with a foot injury. Receiver Phillip Dorsett was inactive, also with an injured foot. As a result, both teams had issues executing and hanging onto the ball. Jones was confused at times by the Patriots' coverages, contributing to his turnovers. And Brady, in addition to his interception, had a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Patriots moved swiftly on the opening drive, getting to the Giants 19. But Sony Michel was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1. New England took over in Giants territory for its third possession after Stephon Gilmore deflected a pass by Jones that was intercepted by John Simon. The Patriots gave the ball right back on the first play after the changeover when Janoris Jenkins picked off Brady's pass intended for Edelman. New England broke the stalemate late in the first quarter when Riley Dixon's punt from the 6-yard line was blocked by Brandon Bolden and scooped up by Chase Winovich, who ran it in for the touchdown. The Patriots then got the game's first offensive score on their sixth touch of the night when Brandon Bolden capped a five-play, 20-yard drive with a 1-yard run. The Giants bounced back on their ensuing possession, with Jones connecting on a deep pass to Golden Tate, who sprinted for a 64-yard touchdown. It was the first passing TD given up by the Patriots this season. The Patriots were just three plays into their next drive when Lorenzo Carter dragged down Brady for a 9-yard sack. Brady fumbled the ball, which was picked up by Markus Golden and returned 42 yards for a touchdown. Patriots receiver Josh Gordon injured his left knee on the play while trying to tackle Golden. Gordon got caught under a tangle of players and got his left leg pinned underneath him. He needed assistance as he limped off the field. But New England figured things out just before the half, getting a 1-yard run by Brady that capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive to put the Patriots ahead 21-14. INJURIESGiants: DL Olsen Pierre left in the second quarter with a concussion. Patriots: S Patrick Chung left in the first quarter with a chest injury. . . . TE Matt LaCosse exited in the first quarter with a knee injury. . . . DB J. C. Jackson left with a knee injury. . . FB Jakob Johnson and LB Dont'a Hightower both left with shoulder injuries. UP NEXTGiants: Host Arizona on Oct. 20. Patriots: Visit the New York Jets on Oct. 21. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at https://twitter. com/khightower)
Oct 09, 2019FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Few quarterbacks have outdueled Tom Brady and the New England Patriots the way Eli Manning has during his career. Twice Manning has been under center to help the Giants lead fourth-quarter comebacks in the Super Bowl over New England. In 2007, Manning spoiled the Patriots' bid for an undefeated season by leading a game-winning drive in the final two minutes that included his pass to David Tyree and his now infamous helmet-pinning catch. It set up Manning's TD pass to Plaxico Burress to give the Giants a 17-14 victory. Manning broke New England's heart again following the 2011 season, this time engineering an 88-yard drive that ended with Ahmad Bradshaw's touchdown run in New York's 21-17 win. ''He's had a great career and certainly had great games against us,'' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said this week. ''I have a ton of respect for Eli and all that he's done. I wish he'd done a little bit less in a couple games against us, but I have a lot of respect for Eli. '' But when the teams meet on Thursday night, Manning likely won't get the chance to add to his past heroics against the Patriots (5-0) . After being benched following the Giants' 0-2 start this season, the quarterback who Belichick thinks will ''absolutely'' be in the discussion for the Pro Football Hall of Fame will again be in a backup role when rookie Daniel Jones makes his fourth straight start. The Giants (2-3) have gone 2-1 with Jones as the starter, but the 22-year-old will be walking into a matchup with the NFL's top-ranked defense without three top playmakers. Running back Saquon Barkley will miss his third straight game because of a sprained right ankle. Tight end and leading receiver Evan Engram is dealing with a knee injury and receiver Sterling Shepard is in the concussion protocol. Jones said he's ready to take on the challenge, regardless of who suits up for New York. ''We're confident in the guys we've got,'' he said. ''I think when you look at how some of those guys have played and stepped up, I think we've got guys who are ready to go and ready to make plays. . . . I know those guys will be ready. '' Jones will also be up against some recently unfavorable history for young quarterbacks when they match up with the Patriots. New England has won 18 straight games against a first or second-year quarterback, the longest streak in NFL history. While the Patriots are preparing for Jones, safety Devin McCourty said they're also ready if Manning does make an appearance. ''Obviously, we know, if anything, they probably have one of the best backups in the NFL,'' McCourty said. ''There's been a lot of legends that I've gotten the opportunity to play against, some to play with. Those guys, sometimes they retire or different things, younger guys come up, they start over them. So, those things always happen. But I think one thing we have to be ready for is, if he does get in the game, knowing that he'll be prepared and he'll be ready to go. '' Some things to watch for during Thursday night's matchup:SURPRISEThere was so much talk about the Giants' three first-round draft picks - Jones, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and cornerback DeAndre Baker, it was easy to overlook the other draft picks. One who has stepped up in recent weeks is fifth-round choice Darius Slayton. The speedy wide receiver missed a lot of training with hamstring issues. He was inactive for the first two games of the season. In the past three, the Auburn product has been targeted 12 times by Jones. He has caught nine passes for 157 yards, a 17. 4 yard average. He had the only TD last week, a diving 35-yard catch. TAKEAWAY, GIVEAWAYThe biggest difference between the teams - besides talent - is turnovers. The Patriots lead the NFL at plus-7. They have intercepted 11 passes and recovered one fumble. The offense has thrown three interceptions - only two by Brady - and lost two fumbles. The Giants are close to the bottom, tied for 29th at minus-5. They have had five passes intercepted and lost six fumbles. The defense has five picks and recovered its first fumble Sunday. PASS AT YOUR PERILThe Patriots' defense is ranked No. 1 against the pass this season, allowing just 160 yards per game. It's also the only defense in the NFL yet to allow a passing touchdown. WEATHER FACTOROne thing that may complicate both teams' ability to throw is the weather. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 50s, with a 100 percent chance of rain. Winds are expected to be between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts possibly reaching more than 40 mph. --- Sports Writer Tom Canavan in East Rutherford, New Jersey, contributed to this report. ---More NFL: https://apnews. com/NFL and https://twitter. com/-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www. twitter. com/khightower
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