Giants-Bucs Final Score: Giants defeat Tampa Bay, 32-18

For a change, the New York Giants were able to hang on to a lead in a tight fourth quarter, earning a critical 32-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Giants lead the NFC East with a 5-4 record.

Three of the Giants' four losses this season have been in games they led late in the fourth quuarter. The Giants led by eight, 20-12, entering this fourth quarter.

Things didn't start well when a 59-yard run by Charles Sims of the Buccaneers set up a 10-yard Jameis Winston touchdown run with 9:25 to go. Tampa Bay failed on the two-point conversion and the Giants maintained a 20-18 lead. The Giants answered with a 53-yard field goal by Josh Brown, his third of the game, to make it 23-18 with 7:24 to play.

After the Giants' defense forced a punt, the Giants took over at their 20-yard line with 5:07 to play. They were able to run the clock down to :28 wth a nine-play, 54-yard drive, helped by a personal foul on Akeem Spence of Tampa Bay. A 44-yard field goal by Brown, gave the Giants an eight-point lead, 26-18, with 23 seconds remaining.

The Giants got a defensive touchdown when Trevin Wade scooped up a fumbled off a Tampa Bay lateral on the final play.

"We always preach about finishing. Tonight we did," said head coach Tom Coughlin. "We kinda hung in there and got ourselves a much-needed win."

Jason Pierre-Paul played an unofficial 43 of the Giants' 57 defensive snaps in his return from his July 4 fireworks mishap.

Manning finished 26-of-40 for 213 yards,, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Odell Beckham caught nine passes for 105 yards, several of them key receptions that resulted in first downs.

A week after surrendering 614 yards (511 passing) to the New Orleans Saints, the Giants defense was much better. The Giants surrendered 385 total yards and were able to hold Tampa Bay to one touchdown and three field goals in four trips into the red zone.

WATCH: Coach Tom Coughlin's Postgame Reaction as the #Giants win in Tampa Bay! https://t.co/JiTR9bPc4k

— New York Giants (@Giants) November 9, 2015

First half

The Giants led, 17-9, at the half. The Giants held the ball for 18:24 and held the Buccaneers to field goals in three trips inside the red zone.

Manning completed 17-of-23 for 124 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the first half.

What's Next?

The Giants host the unbeaten New England Patriots (8-0) at MetLife Stadium next Sunday. Game time is 4:25 p.m. ET.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Scoring play: 25-yard field goal, Connor Barth (Bucs)

Drive Summary: Four plays, 6 yards, 1:25

Key play: Eli Manning intercepted on Giants' first play from scrimmage. Pass off fingertips of Odell Beckham Jr., intercepted at 31-yard line by Sterling Moore and returned to Giants' 18.

Score: 3-0, Buccaneers (13:30)

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Scoring play: 35-yard field goal, Josh Brown (Giants)

Drive Summary: 10 plays, 63 yards, 3:34

Key play: 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Tampa Bay's Lavonte David after a completion to Beckham

Score: 3-3, 9:57

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Scoring play: 28-yard FG, Barth (Bucs)

Drive Summary: Five plays, 70 yards, 1:48

Key play: 68-yard pass from Jameis Winston to Mike Evans.

Score: 6-3, Bucs (8:08)

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Scoring play: 8-yard pass, Eli Manning to Rueben Randle

Drive Summary: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:11

Key play: Tampa Bay committed three penalties during the Giants' drive. Also, Manning hit Shane Vereen for 8 yards on third-and-2 from the Buccaneers' 42-yard line.

Score: Giants 10, Bucs 6 (1:00)

Second Quarter

Scoring play: 4-yard pass, Manning to Vereen

Drive Summary: 9 plays, 28 yards, 3:34

Key play: Johnathan Hankins forces a Doug Martin fumble, and Jasper Brinkley recovered at the Bucs' 28-yard line.

Score: Giants 17, Bucs 6 (11:20)

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Scoring play: 21-yard field goal, Barth

Drive Summary: 7 plays, 62 yards, 2:56

Key play: Damontre Moore gets his third roughing the passer penalty in his last three games, giving Tampa Bay first-and-goal at the Giants' 9-yard line.

Score: Giants 17, Buccaneers 9 (:10)

Third Quarter

Scoring play: 35-yard field goal, Josh Brown (Giants)

Drive Summary: 4 plays, 7 yards, :43

Key play: Jasper Brinkley forces a fumble by Charles Sims at the Tampa Bay 45-yard line. Trevin Wade recovers at the Bucs' 24.

Score: Giants 20, Bucs 9 (11:53)

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Scoring play: 53-yard field goal, C. Barth (Bucs)

Drive Summary: 10 plays, 49 yards (4:34)

Key play: Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Doug Martin each dropped long passes that could have resulted in Bucs' touchdowns.

Score: Giants 20, Bucs 12 (7:20)

Fourth Quarter

Scoring play: Winston, 10-yard run

Drive Summary: 8 plays, 87 yards 2:11 (2-point conversion failed)

Key play: 59-yard run on first play of the drive by Charles Sims

Score: Giants 20 Bucs 18 (9:25)

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Scoring play: 53-yard field goal, Josh Brown

Drive Summary: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:07

Key play: Brown makes 53-yard field goal, his 22nd straight

Score: Giants 23, Bucs 18 (7:24)

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Scoring play: 44-yard field goal, Josh Brown

Drive Summary: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:34

Key play: Unnecessary roughness penalty of Akeem Spence of the Buccaneers

Score: Giants 26, Bucs 18 (:24)

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Scoring play: Trevin Wade (Giants), 5-yard fumble recovery

Score: Giants 32, Bucs 18 (:00)