Packers-Giants: What we learned
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul recorded his second-career pick-6 as the New York Giants beat the Green Bay Packers 27-13 Sunday at MetLife Stadium for their fourth straight win.
Pierre-Paul, who was questionable to even play this week after missing practice time with a shoulder injury, nabbed Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien's pass intended for tight end Andrew Quarless and returned it 24 yards as part of a second half that saw the Giants outscore the Packers 17-7. It was Pierre-Paul's first interception return since Oct 5. 28, 2012.
"I called it before it even happened, so that was a good thing," Pierre-Paul said.
"We needed a play to change the game, and I knew I could deliver a play that significant. I did and it changed the game."
Pierre-Paul, who said he wore a harness to protect his injured right shoulder in the game, admitted that it was difficult for him to get both arms up in the air the way he did before.
"It's pretty difficult, but you just have to have the will and power to do it, and I did," he said. "It's nothing I couldn't do."
Tolzien took full blame for the interception return.
"He made a nice play, but that's on me," said a dejected Tolzien after the game. "I gave them a freebie there, really. That's a huge momentum swing. We had a chance at that point, and that kills you."
The Giants (4-6), who started the season 0-6, jumped onto the scoreboard in the first quarter when quarterback Eli Manning connected with wide receiver Rueben Randle on a 26-yard touchdown pass, Randle's sixth touchdown reception this season.
After kicker Josh Brown, who finished the game with two field goals, made it 10-0 to start the second quarter, the Packers got field goals of 24 and 57 yards by kicker Mason Crosby, the 57-yarder being the longest ever made in the short history of MetLife Stadium, and the second longest in Packers' franchise history.
The Packers (5-5), whose losing streak extended to three games, will try to turn things around when they return home to host the Minnesota Vikings.
What the Packers said
"We talk about it each and every game, winning the turnover ratio, and we're not doing it." -- Coach Mike McCarthy.
What the Giants said
"I don't know if he's a psychic or what, but that's something I have never seen before." -- Defensive end Justin Tuck, commenting on teammate Jason Pierre-Paul's ability to predict that he would intercept Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien just before he actually did.
What we learned about the Packers
1. Although quarterback Scott Tolzien was able to move the ball through the air, turnovers once again helped do in his team. In his two games since taking over as the starter, Tolzien has thrown five interceptions and just one touchdown -- the Packers being outscored 54-26 in those games.
2. After turning the ball over just five times in their last six games, the Packers had three giveaways, all interceptions, in this week's game alone. Since 2006, Green Bay is now 5-12 in games in which they have at least three turnovers.
What we learned about the Giants
1. Opposing running backs just don't have a chance against the Giants' defensive front, which, by holding rookie Eddie Lacy to just 27 yards on 14 carries, has now shut down some of the NFL's finest rushers. The lone exception was DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers, who in Week 3 ran for 120 yards on 23 carries.
2. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul might just be psychic. In addition to predicting that he would have a pick-6 this week after he got a look at the formation, Pierre-Paul, whose first pick-6 came last year in a game against Dallas, said he also predicted that he would pick off the pass before it was thrown. "They've got to stop throwing screens to my side, man," he said. "I'm too tall for it."
