Texans at Giants final score: New York defeats Houston 30-17 with rare efficiency
By Wes Goldberg
The Houston Texans’ weakness finally reared it’s bearded head Sunday. Ryan Fitzpatrick was outplayed by Eli Manning as the New York Giants won their first game of the season to improve to 1-2, a 30-17 victory over the Texans (2-1) at MetLife Stadium.
More from Houston Texans
- NFL rumors: Eagles RB1 hint, Bryce Young shows out, C.J. Stroud slow play
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
- NFL power rankings: Which teams will have the best defense this season?
- Oh, honey: No one told Davis Mills why the Texans took C.J. Stroud
Over the first two weeks of the season, the Giants were plagued by turnovers and inefficiency, ranking dead last in the NFL in turnover efficiency going into today’s game. On the other hand, Houston had been winning games in large part due to their efficient play, ranking second in the same category.
Early in the game, it looked like the same old Giants. On their second drive of the game, New York was putting together a nice 60-yard drive and were in the red zone ready to score the first points of the game when tight end Larry Donnell fumbled and ended the drive.
However, Houston couldn’t do anything with it. The Texans offense struggled early, with each possession in the first half ending in either a punt or interception. The Giants finally broke the zero-zero tie with 3:30 left in the first half when Manning hit Victor Cruz for a 26-yard touchdown.
Fitzpatrick gave the ball back when Antrel Rolle picked off a pass intended for Andre Johnson. Rolle brought it to Houston’s two-yard line and Jennings put in the end zone on a one-yard run.
The Giants had a 14-0 lead at halftime, but the Texans would come out and score 10 unasnwered points to bring the game to 17-10. After a Randy Bulluck field goal, Fitzpatrick hit Damarius Johnson on a 44-yard touchdown bomb.
But the fourth quarter was all G-Men. Brown capped off a 10-play, 66-yard drive with a field goal to give New York a 20-10 lead. The Texans offense couldn’t get anything going on the next drive, going three-and-out before Shane Lechler’s punt was blocked.
That set up Manning to hit Daniel Fells for nine-yard touchdown pass. On the Texans first play of the next possession, Fitzpatrick tried to hit DeAndre Hopkins but it was picked off by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Giants capitalized with another Brown field goal to extend the lead to 30-10.
That’s when Eli knew the game was in the bag.
Fitzpatrick led the Texans down the field and cut the lead to 30-17 with a one-yard scramble, but it was too late by then.
The Giants got their first win of the season thanks to the efforts of Manning and Jennings. Manning completed 21 of 28 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while Jennings carried the offense with 34 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Fitzpatrick struggled, completed just 20 of his 34 passes for 289 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions.
The Giants get a short week, playing the Washington Redskins on Thursday night. The Texans will try to bounce back against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.
More from FanSided.com
Tony Romo finds a wide open Dez Bryant for a touchdown
Ravens player does LeBron James chalk toss to celebrate touchdown, trolls Browns (GIF)
The Armchair Quarterback’s guide to the NFL Week 3
NFL Week 3’s top storylines
NFL Week 3 picks: Broncos vs Seahawks, Steelers vs Panthers and more