LANDOVER, Md. – Heading into yesterday’s game with the Redskins, the Giants not only were 0-2, but they had been outscored 35-16 in the fourth quarter of the two losses.
That’s why, not seeking to scale a mountain, coach Tom Coughlin established a modest goal for his team.
“We talked about winning the fourth quarters,” Coughlin said.
Lo and behold, that’s exactly what the Giants did, outscoring the Redskins 14-0 in the period (and 21-0 in the second half) for a 24-17 victory at FedEx Field.
“Obviously at halftime we were in a bad position,” center Shaun O’Hara said of the Giants’ 17-3 deficit. “All week, our motto that Coach started instilling in us was, win the game in the fourth quarter. That had been our focus and talk all week.”
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With 13:55 remaining, the Giants, trailing 17-10, won a huge replay challenge that averted a disaster. On third and five from the Washington 12-yard line, QB Eli Manning changed the play at the line and smartly called a draw to Derrick Ward, who picked up six yards before losing the ball on a fumble that was recovered by safety Vernon Fox.
Coughlin tossed his red challenge flag onto the field. Before losing the ball, Ward’s left elbow made contact with the ground and the call was reversed. Two plays later, Reuben Droughns scored his second rushing touchdown and the Giants were even at 17.
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LB Antonio Pierce, hurt by heavy criticism of his horn-blowing antics last Thursday during interviews in the locker room, had little to say after the Giants pulled out the win.
“Three great stops,” he said of the last-minute goal line stand.
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RB Derrick Ward (26 carries, 94 yards) continues to provide quality work starting in place of injured Brandon Jacobs. …
It looks as if TE Jeremy Shockey is learning. He was hit for a delay-of-game penalty last week for spiking the ball after making a catch. In the third quarter yesterday, after hauling in a 21-yard pass to the Washington 1-yard line, Shockey emphatically placed the ball on the grass and then smiled. …
There was speculation that rookie CB Aaron Ross would start in place of Corey Webster, but Webster remained the starter. Webster, though, was benched in the second half for Ross, and Kevin Dockery was moved in as the nickel back.
