Manning hits Beckham on 3 TD passes
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Giants have found a real winner in rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Manning threw three touchdown passes to Beckham and the Giants took advantage of an overturned touchdown at the end of the half to defeat Washington 24-13 Sunday.
Manning and Beckham combined 12 times for 143 yards, with touchdown passes covering 10, 35 and 6 yards. The win was the second straight for the Giants (5-9) after seven straight losses.
Washington is finding all sorts of ways to lose, and this one was hard to believe. They blew a touchdown and command of the game on a fumble by Robert Griffin III as time expired at the end of the first half.
Griffin scrambled for an apparent 8-yard touchdown as the half expired for a 17-7 lead, diving over the pylon and then running on to the field and spiking the ball with emphasis.
It wasn't to be.
The video review by referee Jeff Triplette showed that Griffin lost control of the ball diving over the pylon and the play was ruled a touchback.
The call incensed veteran Washington receiver Santana Moss so much that he bumped an official while arguing and was ejected. Instead of a 10-point lead, Washington led 10-7 with the go-ahead points a 9-yard TD pass from Griffin to Chris Thompson midway through the second quarter.
New York, however, controlled most of the second half.
Moss was called for two 15-yard penalties for his argument and the Giants went with onside kick from the Washington 35 to start the second half. They recovered at the Washington 17, setting up a tying 32-yard field goal by Josh Brown.
The 35-yard TD by Beckham gave the Giants a 17-13 lead late in third quarter. The 6-yarder with 4:41 to go sent Washington (3-11) to its sixth consecutive loss.
Washington's only points in the second half came on a 38-yard field goal by Kai Forbath.
Manning (23 of 34 for 250 yards) drove the Giants 81 yards on four plays on the ensuing series, combining for the final 35 on a crossing pattern to Beckham. The rookie's catches were one shy of the Giants' single-game record held by Tiki Barber.
New York iced the game with a 76-yard drive that featured five catches by Beckham.
Griffin, benched for Colt McCoy as the starting quarterback, finished 18 of 27 for 236 yards. He also ran five times for 46 yards in an impressive performance, but also was sacked seven times. There were moments late in the game when the oft-injured quarterback had trouble getting up.
McCoy started and led Washington to a field goal before leaving after aggravating a neck injury on the opening series.
Manning, who was listed on the Giants' injury report with a back problem, got New York on the scoreboard late in the first quarter with a 10-yarder to Beckham.