Spokesman-Review
National Football League
N.Y. Giants 30, Houston 17
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 21, 2014
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Temperature: 70°
Head Official: Terry McAulay
Attendance: 77462

Giants 30, Texans 17: Eli Manning tossed two touchdown passes and Rashad Jennings rushed for a career-high 176 yards and a score as host New York secured its first victory.

Manning went 21-of-28 for 234 yards and connected on scoring strikes to Victor Cruz and tight end Daniel Fells for the Giants (1-2), who dropped their first six games to start last season. Cruz finished with five receptions for 107 yards while tight end Larry Donnell reeled in a team-high six catches.

Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed his first three interceptions of the season and finished 20-of-34 for 289 yards while rushing and throwing for a touchdown. With Arian Foster ruled inactive due to a hamstring injury, rookie Alfred Blue had 78 yards - with 46 yards coming on one carry for the Texans (2-1), who were vying to eclipse last season's win total.

Cruz reeled in a pass over the middle, jumped back to avoid the attempted tackle of cornerback Kareem Jackson and scampered toward the pylon to open the scoring with 3:21 remaining in the second quarter. Houston attempted to respond, but Antrel Rolle intercepted Fitzpatrick and returned the ball to the 2 before Jennings punched it in from one yard out.

New York stuffed Blue on a fourth-and-1 attempt on the opening drive of the third quarter and extended its lead to 17-0 on Josh Brown's 39-yard field goal. Fitzpatrick connected with Damaris Johnson over the middle for a 44-yard touchdown to trim the Giants' lead to 17-10 late in the third, but Brown booted a 29-yard field goal early in the fourth and Manning found Fells for a 9-yard score.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jennings' previous career high also came at the expense of Houston. Playing for Oakland, Jennings carried 22 times for 150 yards and a touchdown in a 28-23 victory on Nov. 17, 2013. ... The Texans entered the contest with a plus-5 turnover differential, while the Giants had a league-worst six giveaways. ... Cruz's touchdown was his first at home since Dec. 30, 2012 versus Philadelphia.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Houston   N.Y. Giants
Alfred Blue Player Rashad Jennings
13 Attempts 34
78 Yards 176
6.0 Avg Yards 5.2
0 Touchdowns 1
46 Long 18
Receiving
Houston   N.Y. Giants
DeAndre Hopkins Player Victor Cruz
6 Receptions 5
116 Yards 107
19.3 Avg Yards 21.4
0 Touchdowns 1
49 Long 61
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Houston 411 119 292 2 1 0 1.0 1
N.Y. Giants 419 193 226 3 3 3 2.0 0
Upcoming Games
  • N.Y. Giants will play their next game on the road against Washington. The Giants have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game at home against Buffalo. The Texans have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.