Giants 13, Redskins 10 – Halftime

One way to keep RG3 from beating you is to keep him off the field and that’s basically what the Giants managed to accomplish in the first half. The Giants dominated time of possession in the first half, holding the ball for 20:32 and it played a big role in why they lead the Redskins at halftime 13-10.

The Giants were solid on their opening drive until a false start penalty on RT Sean Locklear stalled it and led to a 39-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes. The kick gave the Giants a 3-0 lead.

The Redskins came right back with the unpredictable RG3 running a triple option that pretty much caught everyone by surprise. However Griffin fumbled before hitting the ground and the ball ended up in the hands of Joshua Morgan who ran it 13 yards to the end zone for a touchdown and gave Washington a 7-3 lead.

That triple option was just another example of the unorthodox offense that the Redskins have run this season with RG3 at quarterback. Griffin had the option to hand off to running back Alfred Morris, however he kept the ball and rolled to the left with Morgan as his wing man. Instead of pitching the ball to Morgan, he kept it himself and appeared to be in the act of sliding when he fumbled the ball. Fortunately for the Redskins, Morgan was in the area and he was alert.

Manning and the Giants would then put together a monster 13-play, 85-yard drive that was capped off with a 4 yard touchdown pass to Martellius Bennett. This put the Giants back on top 10-7. The Redskins would come right back down the field to even the score at 10 on a Kai Forbath 33-yard field goal. However, Manning was able to drive the Giants into position for a Tynes 40-yard field goal to close out the half with a 13-10 lead.

Penalties threatened to kill any momentum the Giants offense was gathering in the first half. The Giants racked up 6 penalties in the first half for 45 yards.

The Giants dominated time of possesion in the first half … The Redskins paid a great deal of attention on wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, meanwhile Manning was able to take advantage with tight end Martellius Bennett on big pass plays downfield.

1st Half Notables, Giants

Manning – 14 of 22 187 yards, touchdown

Ahmad Bradshaw, 15 carries, 77 yards

Martellius Bennett – 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD