Giants 38, Packers 10
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants, fresh off their bye week, avoided their first winless November since 2004 by dominating the Green Bay Packers 38-10 Sunday night in front of 80,365 at MetLife Stadium.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who went a career-long 107 pass attempts without a touchdown pass, threw for three scores and set a franchise record with 200 career touchdown passes.
The Giants' offense also converted two Green Bay turnovers into 10 first-half points to help snap the team's two-game losing streak.
The Packers, who were without linebacker Clay Matthews, their team leader in sacks with nine, were unable to get much of a pass rush against Manning. After absorbing seven sacks in his previous three games, Manning was sacked only once Sunday.
New York, meanwhile, kept the Green Bay tandem of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Randall Cobb fairly quiet.
Rodgers, who was sacked four times and picked off once the last time these two teams met, in January's NFC divisional playoff round, was sacked five times for 29 yards and picked off once Sunday by a rejuvenated New York defense.
Cobb, meanwhile, was held to four receptions for 39 yards.
The NFC East-leading Giants (7-4) will look to create more space between themselves and the Redskins (5-6) a week from Monday, when New York travels to Washington. The Redskins and Dallas Cowboys are tied for second in the division.
Green Bay (7-4) returns home to face the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.
The Giants led 31-10 at the half thanks to two touchdown passes from Manning.
After exchanging touchdowns on their respective opening drives -- the Giants' coming on a 2-yard run by running back Andre Brown, the Packers' on a 61-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jordy Nelson -- Green Bay forced New York into a three-and-out.
Following a failed 55-yard field goal attempt by Packers kicker Mason Crosby, who later in the half would make a 28-yard attempt, Manning broke the longest drought of his career without a touchdown pass by connecting with receiver Rueben Randle for 16 yards. The extra points gave New York a 14-7 lead with 2:44 left in the first quarter.
The Giants added a 43-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes, capping a drive that started with cornerback Corey Webster's interception of a pass intended for Randall Cobb at Green Bay's 33.
After New York forced a three-and-out, Manning and the Giants' offense scored again on a drive that saw them convert two big third-down plays. The first was a 25-yard pass reception by receiver Hakeem Nicks, and the second was a 9-yard touchdown catch by receiver Victor Cruz, his first touchdown reception since Oct. 21 against Washington.
The Giants made it 31-10 with 44 seconds left in the half. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora sacked Rodgers, stripping the ball in the process. The ball was recovered by defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who returned it 10 yards to the Green Bay 23. Two plays later, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw ran for a 13-yard touchdown.
NOTES: Brown limped off the field in the fourth quarter, and he was diagnosed with a broken fibula. He led the team with 13 carries for 64 yards against Green Bay, bringing his season totals to 73 carries for 385 yards and eight touchdowns. ... Giants safety Kenny Phillips, who returned to the lineup following a six-game absence caused by an MCL sprain in his knee, re-injured that same knee late in the third quarter and did not return to the game. ... The Giants' previous record for touchdown passes, 199, was held by Phil Simms. ... New York coach Tom Coughlin won his first challenge of the season on a third-quarter pass play to receiver Hakeem Nicks that was initially ruled 1 yard shy of a touchdown. The Giants were awarded the score. ... Packers receiver Greg Jennings was inactive due to groin and abdominal injuries. ... Green Bay running back Johnny White left the game in the first quarter with a concussion. ... Matthews sat out a second consecutive game because of a left hamstring injury.
