Eli Manning finds rhythm as New York Giants outscore Tampa Bay Buccaneers – NFL Recap
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning lived up to his reputation of staging fourth quarter comebacks as he led the defending Super Bowl champions to victory, 41-34, over Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, September 16, 2012, at MetLife Stadium.
Trailing by 11 points at the end of the third quarter, the Giants managed to score three touchdowns and a field goal while giving away a touchdown in the final quarter to Tampa Bay to win the game.
Manning completed 31 of his 51 attempted passes for impressive 510 yards and sent three touchdown passes and three interceptions. This was Giants’ first victory of the season after they were defeated by Dallas Cowboys in the season opener.
According to the details present on the team’s website, Manning said after the game:
“No one wants to start 0-2. We’ve obviously done it before and made a run and got into the playoffs and stuff, but it’s a big win and especially after the first half and playing poorly, and last week not playing well; to get back to that level of playing
good football and that 2nd half was really good.”
The game concluded in a controversial manner as coaches of both teams were found arguing over a move. Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano urged his players to knock Manning down on a kneel-down and attempt to force a fumble. The move infuriated Giants coach Tom
Coughlin who also screamed at Schiano.
The move was somewhat expected from the Bucs as they had come very close to beating the Giants, but the latter rallied back strongly to stun the opponents.
The Bucs started getting hold of the game from the second quarter. The first quarter saw field goals from both sides. Giants got two while the visitors managed one field goal.
Tampa Bay got three touchdowns in the second quarter in which Giants defence seemed helpless. Manning was able to get one touchdown in the quarter.
Both teams scored a field goal each in the third quarter as the Bucs entered the final quarter leading27-16.
Giants dominated the quarter completely as Manning created big plays and got the necessary help from one of his favourite receivers Victor Cruz for a 80-yard touchdown.
Giants scored a field goal and a touchdown in the quarter to level the score 27-27 and then later got another touchdown to take the lead. However, Bucs levelled the score when quarterback Josh Freeman and Mike Williams connected for a 41-yard touchdown.
Giants once again moved ahead of their opponents as Andre Brown managed a two-yard run for a touchdown in the final minute of the game.
Schiano said after the game:
"They made plays. It's a game of inches. They were able to make them. We were close and we didn't. Just got to do a better job all around, coaching, playing.”
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