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Giants hold onto lead against Redskins

The Associated Press
September 25, 2015 at 5:05AM
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Washington Redskins' Bashaud Breeland (26) during the second half an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Giants receiver Odell Beckham caught a 30-yard TD pass in front of the Redskins’ Bashaud Breeland in the fourth quarter. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Giants can hold on to a lead.

New York didn't let Washington steal a victory late, finishing off a 32-21 decision Thursday night on Odell Beckham Jr.'s 30-yard touchdown catch and Rueben Randle's 41-yarder.

In their first two games, the Giants (1-2) fell apart in the fourth quarter of losses to Dallas and Atlanta. This time, the Giants dominated most of the action against the injury-plagued Redskins (1-2), who lost veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a right leg injury that looked serious.

"We won," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Smile."

The Giants scored in nearly every way possible, beginning with Rashad Jennings blocking Tress Way's punt for a safety on Washington's opening series. Andre Williams scored on a 1-yard run, Josh Brown kicked three field goals, and Beckham toasted Bashaud Breeland to settle matters. Randle made his TD catch in the closing minutes, after which Washington's Rashad Ross returned the kickoff 101 yards for the final score.

"Players need the reinforcement that comes with closing out the game with a win," Coughlin said.

Prince Amukamara and Uani Unga had interceptions of Kirk Cousins. Last season, he threw four picks in a loss to New York.

Washington, which has lost five straight to the Giants, got field goals of 44 and 37 yards from Dustin Hopkins, but any thoughts of a comeback ended when Matt Jones fumbled on his way into the end zone with 9½ minutes left. A late 4-yard TD pass to Chris Thompson and two-point conversion brought the deficit to 11, then Randle made his scoring catch.

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The victory provides some optimism for the Giants in the muddled NFC East, where Dallas is 2-0 but missing several stars, and Philadelphia is 0-2.

Eli Manning was 23-for-31 for 279 yards. Beckham had seven receptions for 79 yards, and Randle had seven for 116.

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