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AT FIRST GLANCE **
The Giants and Patriots played another classic. Stephen Gostkowski's 54-yard field goal with 0:06 seconds left in the fourth quarter sealed a 27-26 for the undefeated defending Super Bowl champions.
**>> WATCH GIANTS VS. PATRIOTS HIGHLIGHTS**
WHAT'S NEXT
The Giants (5-5) head into their bye week with sole possession of first place in the NFC East. On Sunday, Philadelphia (4-5) lost to Miami, Washington (4-5) defeated New Orleans, and Dallas (2-7) fell to Tampa Bay. Big Blue resumes in Week 12 with a road game against the Redskins.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
Eli Manning connected with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for an 87-yard touchdown on the Giants second play from scrimmage, and the franchise quarterback was off to a career-high 251 yards in the first half.
Manning utilized a variety of weapons at key times, including wide receivers Dwayne Harris, Rueben Randle, and Myles White, as well as tight ends Will Tye and Jerome Cunningham. The Giants had to operate without starting left guard Justin Pugh, who expected to play despite dealing with an illness throughout the week.
However, after practicing Saturday, Pugh still did not feel right on Sunday and was ruled out of the game. Veteran John Jerry took his place. The Giants then lost their second starting lineman late in third quarter when center Weston Richburg was carted off with an ankle injury. Dallas Reynolds filled in for him. Manning orchestrated a 15 play, 86 yard drive late in the fourth quarter to give the Giants a 26-24 lead.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
Against the No. 1 team in scoring (34.5 points per game), the Giants allowed a touchdown on the Patriots' first possession and two second half scores. The defense did come up with a pair of Tom Brady turnovers in the fourth quarter. The first came when Jasper Brinkley sacked Brady to force a fumble, and Markus Kuhn recovered. The second came with New England up 24-23. Brady and the Patriots had 2nd and Goal at the Giants five yard line, and Trumaine McBride dove for an interception. The Giants would then drive the length of the field and retake the lead. The defense could not stop the Patriots on their final drive of the game, a 12 play 44-yard drive that resulted in the Gostkowski game winner.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS
With four on Sunday, Josh Brown upped his franchise record to 26 consecutive field goals made. He knocked them in from distances of 37, 38, 53, and 29 yards. The biggest special teams blemish came in the third quarter. Up 20-10, Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola returned a Brad Wing punt 82 yards, which set up a LeGarrette Blount one yard touchdown run four plays later.
INACTIVES
NYG: LG Justin Pugh, CB Prince Amukamara, WR Victor Cruz, LB J.T. Thomas III, LB Uani 'Unga, DB Leon McFadden, TE Larry 84 Donnell.
NE: DB Tavon Wilson, OL Marcus Cannon, G Tre' Jackson, OT Sebastian Vollmer, WR Keshawn Martin, LB Jamie Collins, DL Trey Flowers.
LINEUP CHANGES
Will Tye for Donnell at TE; Jonathan Casillas for Thomas III at WLB; John Jerry for Pugh at LG.
GAME CAPTAINS
LB Devon Kennard and DT Cullen Jenkins along with season captains QB Eli Manning and LS Zak DeOssie.
INJURY REPORT
NYG: C Weston Richburg (ankle), LB Mark Herzlich (quad). NE: WR Julian Edelman (foot), WR Matthew Slater (shoulder).
