Live from New York: Raiders at Giants, 2nd quarter
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – On the first play of the second quarter, Eli Manning connected with Mario Manningham for a 30-yard score to cap a 5-play 94-yard drive. The Giants led 21-0 at that point and dominated the box score with 249-total yards of offense as oppose to the Raiders 18-total yards.
Oakland fell deeper into a black hole on their next drive when Terrell Thomas blitzed, sacking JaMarcus Russell and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Justin Tuck at the Raiders 13-yard line. Three plays later, Manning hit Hakeem Nicks on a 9-yard toss to give the Giants a dominating 28-0 lead. Manning at that point was 8-of-10 for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Raiders were three and out again on their next drive. Russell scrambled on 3rd and 3 but fell inched short of the 1st down marker.
Oakland stopped the Giants from hitting paydirt on the ensuing drive. Brandon Jacobs bulldozed for 12-yards on the first play of the drive but was shutdown after that forcing the first punt of the game by Jeff Feagles.
Oakland then mounted their best drive when Russell hit Zach Miller for 21-yards to start. A few plays later, Michael Bush runs for 8-yards. On 3rd and 2, Bush ran for no yards, Samson Satele was called for a hold, but the Giants opted to decline and force a 4th down. The Raiders then went for it and converted the 4th and 2 on a Russell 3-yard scamper. The drive ended near midfield when Russell was blindsided by Michael Johnson for a 6-yard sack on 3rd and 6.
The Raiders were fortunate when Sinorice Moss muffed the ensuing punt and Jonathan Holland recovered the loose ball at the Giants 15-yard line. After a 9-yard pass interference penalty on CC Brown gave the ball near the goal line, Bush rumbled into the end zone from 5-yards out to put Oakland on the board, down 28-7.
Manning departed on the Giants next drive, giving away to back-up David Carr with a huge-lead and unscathed after a week where there was doubt whether or not he would play due to a foot injury.
Carr completed his first pass to Manningham for 6-yards. Ahmad Bradshaw then ripped a 19-yard run before Carr connected with Steve Smith for 19-yards. They would eventually punt after getting to midfield.
The Raiders started their possession with 0:43 left in the half. Russell and Luke Lawton connected for 14-yards, but on the next play, Justin Tuck sacked Oakland’s passer and Osi Umenyiora recovered at the 25-yard line.
Carr then hit Darcy Johnson for 10-yards and with 0:06 remianing, Lawrence Tynes hit a 25-yard field goal to extend the Giants lead to 31-7.
SCORE: Giants 31 – Raiders 7
First Half Stats:
First Downs: NY 18 – OAK 5
Total Yards: NY 340 – OAK 68
Passing Yards: NY 211 – OAK 25
Rushing Yards: NY 129 – OAK 43
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report.net Columnist
