Tuesday 15 November 2016 13:11, UK
A fourth down pass paid off as Sterling Shepard's three-yard catch helped the New York Giants to a 21-20 win over Cincinnati Bengals. Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, as well as two interceptions, but it was the fourth down play, followed by stout defence, that gave New York their fourth consecutive victory.
In 140 Characters...
Giants keep pressure on Dallas in NFC East, as Eli Manning's fourth down throw pays off for Sterling Shepard TD.
Denver Broncos block last minute field goal, and score 84 yard return!
MVP
This 'superstar' New York defence assembled in the summer is starting to play like it should, after Oliver Vernon led the team in tackles and made an important sack late in the game.
However it was Landon Collins, the second year strong safety, who impressed once more with five tackles and an interception, and he must be in the conversation for Pro Bowl selection.
Game-changer
On fourth and goal, three yards from the goal line, Giants head coach Ben McAdoo kept his offence on the field and instructed Manning to go for the touchdown rather than settle for a field goal. The gamble paid off as Shepard found the end zone, and the defence stepped up to preserve the win.
Stat of the night
4 - Despite saying that "stats are for losers", rookie HC McAdoo will be pleased to know his team recorded their first four-game win streak since 2013.
The game
New York scored on their opening possession, Manning leading his team 80 yards in just eight plays before throwing to his left for rookie Jerrell Adams, who jogged into the end zone for his first career touchdown.
The Bengals hit straight back as Andy Dalton found tight end Tyler Eifert on a 71-yard pass to the Giants' eight yard line before passing to A.J Green two plays later.
It wasn't until the last five minutes of the first half that the Bengals struck again - cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick intercepting Manning at the New York 22-yard line, handing Cincinnati great field position. They couldn't capitalise though and settled for a field goal.
The Giants made up for Manning's error on the very next play as Odell Beckham Jr began and ended the drive, gaining 18 yards on the first play before Manning's 10-yard pass found Beckham Jr wide open at the back of the end zone, to give the home side a 14-10 advantage going in to half-time.
It didn't take long for the Bengals to re-establish a lead after the break as Alex Erickson sprinted crossfield to return the kick-off 84 yards. Jeremy Hill completed the two play drive with a nine-yard rush, before Cincinnati extended their lead with a 38-yard field goal.
Shepard put the Giants 21-20 up at the start of the fourth quarter with a fourth down, three yard score, before the teams exchanged interceptions. Dalton threw high to Tyler Kroft and was picked off by Landon Collins, only for Manning to give the ball straight back to George Iloka as he attempted to force the ball downfield.
Staunch defence by the Giants, which included back-to-back sacks on Dalton, kept the Bengals at bay with great coverage in the secondary forcing Cincinnati to go for short yardage situations. Green limped off after a coming together with New York cornerback Janoris Jenkins halfway through the final quarter, and head coach Marvin Lewis will hope not to be without his star wide receiver for too long.
The Giants move to 6-3 and keep the pressure on in the NFC East, and the race for a play-off spot is as tight as ever. With the Cowboys leading 8-1, the remaining three teams are separated by just one win.
New York now face Chicago and Cleveland, before playing all three division rivals in their last four games. The Bengals (3-5) take on the Buffalo Bills next, sitting two games back in the AFC North.
