The Giants did not need to cure all that ailed them. They did not need to prove they are contenders in the weakened NFC East. They did not need to prove they are legit to their fans at MetLife Stadium or show their stuff to the national TV audience.

All the Giants needed to do Thursday night was win the game.

No one is going to come away from the Giants’ 32-21 victory over the Redskins and make any definitive statements about anything but this: The Giants saved their season. Having already become the first team in NFL history to lose their first two games after blowing double-digit leads in the fourth quarter, the Giants dug themselves an 0-2 hole and if they fell to 0-3 no one was going to believe they were ever doing to dig themselves out.

“You definitely don’t want to be here in New York and keep having that goose egg, 0-1, 0-2 and then you’re the only [team] with no wins,’’ said cornerback Prince Amukamara, who had a big game and jump-started the Giants with an early interception. “You just don’t want that type of energy or that type of atmosphere here. So I’m glad we got the win out of the way and we can go out and win some more.’’

The Giants now get 10 days off to enjoy their first victory of the season, heal up and welcome back Victor Cruz when they face the Bills Oct. 4 in Buffalo.

“It’s definitely a way better feeling winning than losing, I can tell you that,’’ Odell Beckham Jr. said.

“I think it gives us confidence,’’ added Eli Manning.

There was a palpable sense of relief around the Giants. Coach Tom Coughlin walked into the postgame interview room and exclaimed “We won! Smile!’’

This time, the Giants took an 18-6 lead into the fourth quarter and did not blow it. They extended their lead to 25-6 on Beckham’s 30-yard touchdown catch from an efficient Manning, who had a passer rating of 119.1. But the Giants did not exactly close out in style. They allowed 15 fourth-quarter points in the final 3:40, including a 101-yard kickoff return and needed Manning’s 41-yard scoring strike to rejuvenated Rueben Randle to subdue the Redskins.

“We got a ‘W,’ ’’ said Jon Beason, who made his season debut. “I would say it wasn’t pretty, that Achilles’ heel of not finishing is still glaring. We can’t have that type of letdown. The good thing was we had a good cushion.’’

The Giants (1-2) successfully closed down the ground game — the Redskins led the league in rushing after two weeks but managed only 88 yards Thursday — and forced Kirk Cousins to beat them with his arm, which is not the way Washington wants to operate. Even without much of a pass rush, the Giants were at least able to make Cousins scramble around and they intercepted him twice, cashing in with 14 points off the turnovers.

This was not artistic by any means, as Manning kept the ball moving with short throws and had to settle for Josh Brown field goals three times.

Leading 18-6, the Giants were back on their heels on defense with no answers how to stop tight end Jordan Reed. The Redskins were rolling and were on the Giants 34-yard line when Cousins fired a fastball to Derek Carrier that linebacker Devon Kennard deflected up into the air. The ball hung up long enough for rookie Uani’ Unga to lunge and make a diving interception.

The turnover led to the first legitimate touchdown drive of the game for Manning and Co. He hit a tumbling Larry Donnell for a 22-yard gain and finished off with the scoring strike to Beckham.

The Giants picked up their first points before their offense ever took the field, as running back Rashad Jennings overpowered linebacker Terrance Flowers to block Tress Way’s punt out of the end zone. It was the first safety by the Giants since Week 16 against the Jets in 2011 — the game that ignited what turned into a Super Bowl run.

After their special teams gave them their first points, the Giants defense set up their next points when Amukamara stepped in front of Pierre Garcon to intercept Cousins and give Manning the ball on the Washington 14-yard line. Four plays later, Andre Williams powered in from a yard out to make it 9-0.

“It’s just great to finally be able to come out on top,’’ Beckham said.

Hero

No game-killing mental gaffes this time for Eli Manning, who was more solid than spectacular in the Giants’ first victory of the season. Manning was error-free, completing 23 of 32 passes for 279 yards and two TDs, and he has opened the first three games of a season without an interception for the first time in his career.

Zero

How bad is Robert Griffin III if the Redskins think Kirk Cousins is the answer at quarterback? Cousins was abominable, throwing two more interceptions (his 28th and 29th turnovers in just 17 NFL starts) and generally looking lost.

Unsung hero

Cornerback Prince Amukamara made the Giants forget about Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s concussion absence, picking off Cousins once and breaking up three passes while tying for second on the team with seven combined tackles.

Stat of the day

Pardon the Redskins if they never want to see Odell Beckham Jr. again. After catching nine passes for 79 yards and a score, Beckham has 19 catches for 222 yards and four TDs in just two career games against Washington.

Quote of the day

“You definitely don’t want to be here in New York and keep having that goose egg, 0-1, 0-2, then you’re the only [team] with no wins.’’ — Prince Amukamara

— Bart Hubbuch