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Even the New York Giants couldn't blow this one. Lord knows they tried after compiling a 30-0 lead with foolish interceptions, penalties, dropped passes and unprofessional behavior, but the Giants' seven-game losing streak is now over. The pitiful Tenneseee Titans were a perfect patsy for the Giants, who ended up with a 36-7 victory.
The Giants are now 4-9, while the Titans have now lost seven straight games of their own and are 2-11.
The Giants took a 23-0 lead at the half and stretched it to 30-0. From their they didn't exactly finish the way Tom Coughlin would liked. There was an absolutely atrocious Eli Manning Pick Six. There were embarrassingly unprofessional celebrations and other assorted foolish penalties from a team that obviously isn't used to having a lead. There was a physical sideline confrontation between punter Steve Weatherford and special teams coach Tom Quinn. There were dropped passes, including one by Odell Beckham that would have been a touchdown.
Still, it was a victory. The Giants first since Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons. They'll take it.
Big Play, Career Day For Andre Williams
Sunday turned out to be a huge day for running back Andre Williams. The rookie had the first 100+-yard rushing day of his NFL career. He carried 24 times for 131 yards, the Giants' first 100-yard game by a running back since Rashad Jennings gained 176 yards in Week 3 against the Houston Texans. Williams had a a 50-yard run for a score in the third quarter, the longest rushing play of the season for the Giants.
"This is definitely a special day," Williams said.
A Record For Beckham
Beckham became the first rookie in NFL history to have at least 90 yards receiving in six straight games. He caught 11 passes for 130 yards. The franchise-record for catches in a single game is 13 by Tiki Barber against the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 2, 2000.
That's How You Open The Third Quarter
A week ago against Jacksonville an Eli Manning fumble on the Giant's second play of the third quarter gave the Jaguars a touchdown and started the avalanche that led to a stunning loss.
Sunday against Tennessee the Giants forced a three-and-out by Tennessee to start the half. On their third play from scrimmage Andre Williams took a third-and-1 pitch around left end for a 50-yard touchdown and a 30-0 lead. That was the Giants' longest run from scrimmage this season.
Oh, Eli!
With the Giants leading 30-0 Bad Eli reared his ugly head. On third-and-9 at the Giants 19-yard line Manning threw an awful Pick 6 right into the hand of Tennessee's Marqueston Huff, who ran it in for an easy 23-yard score. Manning chose to try to throw across his body to Larry Donnell rather than running, sliding and letting the Giants punt. Rookie blunder from an 11-year veteran with two Super Bowl rings. Tom Coughlin, incidentally, let Manning have it after the play.
Manning finished 26-of-42 for 260 yards. The interception dropped his passer rating to 77.5 for the game.
A First Half Juggernaut, Again
The Giants were dominant in the first half while compiling a 23-0 lead. They had 258 yards of total offense to just 62 for Tennessee. Odell Beckham had nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Manning went 20-of-29 for 226 yards passing. Markus Kuhn returned a fumble 26 yards for the Giants first defensive score of the season.
Things could have been even better, however. The Giants settled for field goals three times after reaching the red zone.
Act Like Professionals, Guys
The Giants ruined what should have been a climactic pick six by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the fourth quarter by acting like juveniles.
Damontre Moore wiped the touchdown off the board with a totally unnecessary hit on Zach Mettenberger during the return. Rodgers-Cromartie and Antrel Rolle, veterans who should know better, were also flagged for acting like total fools and pretending to snap photos of each other in the end zone.
C'mon, fellas. Act like professional athletes and show a little class.
Other Numbers
The Giants outgained Tennessee, 402-207, in total yardage. They sacked Titans quarterbacks eight times. Damontre Moore, Devon Kennard and Jason Pierre-Paul had two sacks each.
What's Next?
The Giants return to MetLife Stadium next Sunday to face the Washington Redskins. Game time is 1 p.m. ET and the game will be televised by FOX. The previous meeting between the two teams, on Thursday Night Football, proved to be the brightest moment of the season for the Giants. Larry Donnell caught three touchdown passes as the Giants routed Washington, 45-14.