/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F12%2F48%2Feli-manning-new-york-giants.jpg "New Orleans Saints 27-52 New York Giants - as it happened")
The New York Giants hosted the New Orleans Saints looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat against the Washington Redskins last time out.
The Giants went into the tie top of the NFC East table, but wins for the Redskins and the Cowboys earlier in the day meant that they needed a win to maintain their advantage.
The Saints were looking to end a two-match winless streak, having lost to the San Francisco 49ers and the Atalanta Falcons in their last two outings.
Read how events unfolded below.
12.45amRight, that's it from me tonight! Thanks for joining for for tonight's thrilling game, and be sure to stay with Sports Mole for all your sports news! Good night!
12.42amA special mention, also, for Wilson. The running back gave a taster of what was to come with a 50+ yard return from the opening kickoff, but his really special moment was a 97-yard return.
12.40amSo a comfortable win in the end for the Giants and you have to say that they deserved it. Eli Manning ran the game with four touchdown passes without ever really hitting his absolute best.
FULL-TIMENew Orleans Saints 27-52 New York Giants
Q4 00:43Giants are just seeing this match out now, they have it sewn up.
Q4 5:10And the kick is GOOD as the Giants move even further ahead! They now lead 27-52.
Q4 5:10That's the game! Wilson, who has been the dangerman all night for the Giants, gets his third touchdown of the match to put the match well and truly beyond doubt.
Q4 5:10TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q4 11:19Tynes hits the field goal to extend the Giants' lead to 18 points! Surely there is no way back for the Saints now?
Q4 11:19FIELD GOAL GIANTS!
Q4 12:51RULING STANDS! The on-field ruling stands and the Saints make a 44-yard gain.
Q4 13:19HUGE PLAY! Brees sends a long pass down the middle of the field and Morgan rises to take a fantastic catch! 44-yard completion, but the Giants are challenging the call. If it is ruled valid, that's a great play.
Q4 14:00The Giants defence limits the Saints to just one yard gain by the time of their 3rd down.
Q4 14:13The Giants have utilised the kickoff return superbly tonight, something that the Saints have not been able to emulate. Just 16 yards this time.
Q4 14:20I promised you a good match and it hasn't disappointed! 69 points on the board already and the best part of a quarter still to play!
Q4 14:20It's easy as you like for the Giants there! Manning finds Cruz completely on his own in the endzone. Nice step from Cruz in the build-up, showing why he is so highly rated. The kick is good and it is 27-42.
Q4 14:35TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q4 14:40The Giants start the final quarter with the ball, just under ten yards from the endzone...
END OF QUARTER 3New Orleans Saints 27-35 New York Giants
Q3 1:01The Giants now have their kickoff return record after today's performance. They've made 287 yards from the opposition kickoffs, a phenomenal figure.
Q3 1:42HUGE RETURN! Another huge return from the Giants, this time courtesy of Jernigan, who makes 60-yards on his way downfield. The momentum changes yet again!
Q3 1:51The kick bissects the posts and it is now 27-35.
Q3 1:51Things have really changed now! Brees peels off to the right before finding Sproles, who tiptoes down the right, just staying in on his way to the endzone. It's his second touchdown of the match and it brings the Saints right back into this one!
Q3 1:51TOUCHDOWN SAINTS!
Q3 2:22Ingram is sent through the middle yet again, but the Giants defence holds firm.
Q3 4:12Ingram makes yet more rushing yards to set the Saints up at 2nd and 5 just inside the Giants half. Brees finds Graham and now the Saints are within 20 yards of the endzone!
Q3 5:00INTERCEPTION! The momentum swings again! Manning takes his time with the throw, allowing Adbul-Quddus to steal in and get the turnover.
Q3 6:26And if there was any danger of that happening, it may have just evaporated! Manning finds Cruz down the middle, and the Giants' top touchdown scorer makes a 37-yard gain to the bellowing sound of his name from the stands at the MetLife stadium.
Q3 7:16Jordan gets a hand on Manning's throw and there is a sense that the Saints still believe that they can get something out of this match. The Giants can't afford to let the momentum swing too far in their visitors' favour.
Q3 7:20The Saints shorten their kick in an attempt to avoid Wilson running it back at them and it works! The ball is dropped, so no gain for the Giants.
Q3 7:32The kick is GOOD too, and it is once again a 15-point game!
Q3 7.32Brees gives a delayed hand off to Sproles, who is well assisted by his teamates' blocks which allow him to run unchallenged into the endzone. Instant reaction from New Orleans!
Q3 7:32TOUCHDOWN SAINTS!
Q3 7.53BIG PLAY! Brees decides to up the tempo for the Saints. No more short gains as he sends a long one downfield that Morgan collects. 62 yard gain for the Saints!
Q3 7.58Eli Manning has thrown three touchdown passes today, which makes it 19 for the season. He's certainly winning the battle of the quarterbacks against Drew Brees tonight!
Q3 8:13The kick is also GOOD and the Giants are starting to run away with this one! 13-35 to the hosts now!
Q3 8:13That's a perfect pass from Manning, who just floats it over an oblivious Robinson's head and into the arms of Hakeem Nicks for another touchdown.
Q3 8:41TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q3 8:47Manning turns to find an unattended opposition player bearing down on him, but he still finds Cruz to make the 1st down.
Q3 10:35Manning steps up beyond his defensive pocket but still find Nicks, who is eventually forced out of bounds. Wilson gets the ball from the next play, but he can only make a gain of two this time.
Q3 11:35His next pass goes awry, however, and the Saints are forced to kick the ball downfield. The Giants have possession once more!
Q3 12:12Brees is happy to make yards slowly but surely today, another three yards gain sees them at 3rd and 4.
Q3 12:59The restart, as ever, goes deep and the Saints manage a 17-yard return before being stopped by Herzlich.
Q3 13:04Wilson rushes and just, by the pigskin of his teeth, reaches the ball over the line. Good finish and the Giants move even further ahead with a successful field goal.
Q3 13:40TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q3 13:47Manning finds Nicks, who makes the 1st down with just six yards between them and the endzone...
Q3 14:01Manning aims for Bennett in the corner of the endzone but it's just too wide and the pass is incomplete. The Giants will reset at 3rd and 8, 18 yards out.
Q3 14:44INTERCEPTION! Brown is there to capatilise on Graham's fumble and makes a substantial gain for the Giants. Disaster start for the Saints to this quarter!
Q3 15:00And we're back underway for the third quarter at the MetLife Stadium.
11.09pmThe Saints face an uphill battle to come back into this match, but they have been working their way up the field well when they get their hands on the ball. They haven't quite found that killer final pass, but Brees is certainly capable of it.
11.04pmElsewhere, the other 9.25pm kickoff is also at half time, and it is a lot more one sided than this match! Seattle Seahawks lead the Cardinals 0-38!
11pmManning and Brees haven't quite been at their imperious best, but Manning in particular has shown glimpses of what makes him such a special player.
10.58pmDavid Wilson has looked extremely lively from the kickoff, producing stunning return yard stats in that first half.
10.57pmThe Giants made a somewhat shaky start to the match, but they will be delighted by how they have bounced back from going behind, and the late touchdown was a perfect way to end the half for them.
END OF FIRST HALFNew Orleans Saints 13-21 New York Giants
Q2 00:20The kick is good! 13-21 to the Giants now!
Q2 00:20There it is! Manning sends the ball over the shoulder of Hixon, who peels off Greer to pick up the touchdown!
Q2 00:20TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q2 00:25Manning aims for Nicks in the endzone but it goes incomplete. 2nd down and goal now for the Giants.
Q2 00:30Bradshaw runs to the five-yard line to pick up the first down for the Giants with the endzone in sight. Big chance for a touchdown here with 30 seconds left of the half.
Q2 1:08BIG THROW! Manning sends another long ball down the wing, this time to Cruz, and he collects it for a 37 yard gain! No flags this time so this one will stand!
Q2 1:15Manning finds Bennett for the third time in a row, and the Tight End does well to catch it and make a 16-yard gain, but again the flag is down and the Giants are brought back.
Q2 1:29The Giants are forced to go again, and this time Manning finds Bennett who is forced out after a seven-yard gain.
Q2 1:39HUGE THROW! Manning sends a deep throw out wide to Nicks who rises to catch it. It looks like a great play, but the referee calls it back for pass interference.
Q2 1:52Wilson again makes a good return from the kick off, he looks very dangerous. The 22-yard return isn't in the same league as his previous efforts but is still not bad at all!
Q2 1:57FIELD GOAL SAINTS! Hartley knocks the ball over with ease and we have a one-point game on our hands!
Q2 2:00An attempt to try and draw them offside fails, and now they'll bring the kicker on. Looked like they were going to risk going for a touchdown then!
Q2 2:00New Orleans let the clock run down to the two minute warning and they will reset at 4th and 2. Will they got for a field goal or risk a touchdown with the endzone in sight? There is still plenty of time so the wise choice would be to take the three points.
Q2 3:17The Saints and now at 3rd and 1 with the endzone in sight. Good chance for them here, but the Giants produce a sterling defensive effort to force Sproles back a yard.
Q2 4:15GOOD RUN! Sproles goes on a 45-yard run and is only stopped by the last remaining Giants defender forcing him out of bounds.
Q2 5:25Ingram carries yet again for the Saints, and makes good yards this time. New Orleans reset at 1st and 10 and Brees finds Thomas, who makes further inroads.
Q2 6:07Manning goes for the TD pass to Nicks but it is just interrupted. Robinson can't hold on to launch a counter-attack, however. The Giants go for a kick...and IT MISSES! Still 10-14.
Q2 6:38Bennett gets his feet all wrong on the catch, falling over before being tackled but, crucially, he held onto the ball. 3rd and 12 for the Giants.
Q2 7:25Another flag is thrown, this time against the Saints, who are punished with a five-yard penalty of their own. Bradshaw attempts to run it but he can't make substantial inroads in the Saints' defence.
Q2 7:47The Giants receive a five-yard penalty for an illegal shift in the offensive line. They reset at 1st and 15 now.
Q2 8:19Once again the MetLife stadium rings to the sound of Cruz's name as Manning finds him again to make a 1st down.
Q2 9:30Manning rolls to the right and finds Cruz for a 1st down.
Q2 9:41The deep restart is once again to Wilson, and once again he makes another huge return! 52-yards this time, the Saints don't seem to be able to cope with Wilson from the kick-off!
Q2 9:47...which is GOOD! 10-14 now.
Q2 9:55Brees's latest pass is just too high for Graham, but the Giants can't take advantage as they fumble the rebound. His next pass is also incomplete and they opt for a field goal...
Q2 10:25Colston makes himself available and gets his whole body behind the ball to make another gain for the Saints.
Q2 11:09Sproles drops Brees's pass and they'll reset at 3rd and 8. The rain is starting to pick up here, it could have an impact on the handling of these players.
Q2 12:17Brees finds Thomas this time for another solid gain for the Saints, this time 12 yards as they edge closer to the Giants' endzone.
Q2 13:55Brees finds Moore in the middle, who runs out of bounds at the 40 yard mark. Good play from the visitors.
Q2 14:52The Saints begin the quarter on 2nd and 8 and make a six-yard gain with the first play.
END OF QUARTER 1New Orleans Saints 7-14 New York Giants
Q1 00:25Mark Ingram tries to run it but only makes two yards.
Q1 0:30The Giants kick on 4th down and Sproles attempts a return, but only gets four yards before Paysinger stops him in his tracks. Sproles certianly felt that one!
Q1 0:49Incomplete pass from Manning as Casillas gets a hand to his throw. From the scrimmage Manning has no option but to run and eventually throw the ball out to avoid being sacked.
Q1 1:49Manning finds Wilson for a 23-yard gain but the referee pulls it back for interference. Ten yard penalty for the Giants and a repeat of 1st down...
Q1 2:05...however they make a loss of 19 yards as Brees' throw didn't make it past the line of the scrimmage. Orleans have no option but to kick, and it's a good one under the circumstances.
Q1 2:05Nowhere to go for Drew Brees and he throws it away with the defence bearing down on him. It'll be fourth down when they reset...
Q1 3:08Brees goes for a HUGE throw to Henderson, but he gets it literally inches too short and a Giants player gets his hand to it. Almost a special play from Brees.
Q1 3:44Very solid tackle from Brown halts Sproles's carry, but only after the Saints man had made a devent gain of nine yards.
Q1 4:40And the kick is GOOD! The Giants take a 14-7 lead!
Q1 4:40Manning has all the time in the world to pick out his man, and in the end chooses Martellus Bennett, who picks up his second touchdown in as many games.
Q1 4:40TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q1 4:46Wilson tries to find a way round the defence again, but this time they cope with him well.
Q1 5:25Penalty flag for holding against the Saints' defence. The Giants get the automatic first down six yards from the endzone!
Q1 6:13Giants are 12 yards away from the endzone on 1st down after a violation.
Q1 6:58TURNOVER! Jed Collins loses the ball in the tackle and the Giants pick it up for the turnover. That is the Saints' second fumble of the match. They had zero going into this game.
Q1 7:10Another 10-yard gain for Saints as Brees finds Henderson.
Q1 8.04Brees finds Brown over the gain line for a first down. The QB just got that away in time and Brown was under pressure on the catch as well.
Q1 9.38The kick is good. 7-7, great response from the Giants.
Q1 9.38WOW! That boy has got some pace. The kick goes deep to Wilson again, and he returns it for a 97-yard return touchdown. Unbelievable play from the Running Back!
Q1 9.38TOUCHDOWN GIANTS!
Q1 9:48The field goal is successful to. 7-0 to the Saints!
Q1 9:48Manning throws his 12 interception of the season so far while trying to find Jernigan. Elbert Mack is on hand to nick in and steal the ball, however, and he runs a 73-yard interception touchdown.
Q1 9:48TOUCHDOWN NEW ORLEANS!
Q1 10:28The Giants run the clock down as far as possible and Brees eventually find Hynoski, but the Rubbing Back is brought down without gain.
Q1 11:46Giants get an initial eight yard gain and run it forward to get a 1st down.
Q1 12:33Good work from Will Hill to force the spillage. Two missed opportunites for the Saints so far due to handling errors.
Q1 12:33Brees finds Colston down the middle and just as it looks as if the Saints have made a major gain, Colston spills it and it is eventually gathered by the Giants for a turnover ball.
Q1 12:48Brees fires one right into the ground at 2nd and 5. Not many options for the QB there. They reset at 3rd and 5.
Q1 13:30Manning tries to find Hixon but Greer is in the way. He should complete the interception but it slips through his hands.
Q1 14:20Victor Cruz gets into the middle of the field and Manning finds him. 2nd down and 4 for the Giants.
Q1 15:00We're underway here! The keep goes deep to the Giants and they respond with a 58-yard return. Good start for the Giants!
9.25pmJUST IN! The Eagles have scored in the dying seconds of their match to end their losing streak! They beat the Buccaneers 21-22!
9.25pmThe Cowboys' comeback victory, coupled with the Redskins doing the same, places even more importance on the upcoming match for the Giants!
9.23pmJUST IN! As I type that, Redskins also add their names to the winners list with an overtime victory over the Ravens.
9.23pmNFL results: Bills 12-15 Rams; Panthers 30-20 Falcons; Bengals 19-20 Cowboys; Browns 30-7 Chiefs; Colts 27-23 Titans; Jaguars 10-17 Jets; Vikings 21-14 Bears.
9.20pmIt's prediction time here! Both QBs can win a game almost single-handedly if they are on form, so it could go either way, but I'm going to plump for the Giants tonight!
9.17pmElsewhere, there have been NFL games going on all over the States tonight. The Washington Redskins have scored a late touchdown to send their tie with the Baltimore Ravens into overtime!
9.15pmLet's have another word on the two QBs on show tonight. Between them they have won three of the last five Superbowls. Two greats of the modern game.
9.12pmNicks is, however, expected to play despite missing out on practice on Thursday. The wide receiver has been hampered with knee injuries all season, but is expected to shake this latest trouble off in time.
9.11pmThe Giants, meanwhile, will be without Travis Beckum and Tyler Sash while Kenny Phillips and Hakeem Nicks are major doubts.
9.09pmThe Saints will be missing CB Corey White and T Charles Brown.
9.08pmRight, some injury news for you from both teams...
9.04pmManning has thrown fewer interceptions, however - 11 to Brees's 16.
9.02pmEli Manning can't quite match those stats so far this season, throwing 3170 yards and 16 touchdowns, but there is no doubting his class.
9pmBoth teams have Quarterbacks who can win a game on their own. Drew Brees has already thrown 3674 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Saints this season.
8.57pmGood evening! We have a mouth-watering tie ahead of us tonight, and you can follow it all the way with Sports Mole. The Saints go into the match 5-7 for the season, while the Giants are 7-5.
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New Orleans Saints
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