A trip across the pond was more than enough to help the New York Giants focus on football and leave their off field issues back in the Northeastern U.S.
In the wake of the controversy surrounding the team’s embattled place kicker, Josh Brown, who was placed on the NFL’s commissioner exemption list after more information surfaced about his abusive behavior toward his then-wife, the Giants put together perhaps their best defensive effort of the season in the UK.
New York took advantage of four interceptions thrown by Los Angeles quarterback, Case Keenum, including one returned for a touchdown, as the Giants knocked off the Rams, 17-10, in the second game of the NFL’s International Series. This one took place at London’s home of English rugby, a sold-out and Twickenham Stadium.
The Giants started slow and fell behind early, 10-0, as the Rams found the end zone on a Keenum 10-yard strike to Tavon Austin, followed by a 36-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
But New York (4-3) answered with 10 straight points of their own in the second period, including a spectacular 44-yard interception returned by Landon Collins, who broke several tackles en route for the game-tying score just before the half.
Rashad Jennings added a 1-yard run for the clincher midway in the final stanza to close out the win for New York, which has won two straight after a three-game losing streak.
“I must have run at least 100 yards on that play,” Collins said afterwards.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning completed 24 of 37 for 196 yards and no touchdowns. Keenum finished 32 of 53 for 291 yards and one touchdown, along with those four costly interceptions.
The Rams (3-4) managed 20 first downs to the Giants’ 13.
“The windows are tight and the throws have to be more precise,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said of Keenum’s struggles. “I’ll make changes at receiver before I make a change at quarterback.”
Upon returning from London, the Giants released Brown as the team continues to press on from what was a black eye on storied franchise, and as the NFL continued to sort through the aftermath.
Taking place of Brown was former Chicago Bears kicker, Robbie Gould, who booted a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter.
The annual International Series returns to Wembley Stadium in Week #8, when the Washington Redskins take on the Cincinnati Bengals, while the finale will take place in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca, between the Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans in Week # 11. The city hosted the first international regular-season game in 2005.
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W| By Michael T.Lyle, Jr
