Redskins Hold On to Beat Giants, 20-14

For all of their deficiencies and inconsistency, Jay Gruden's Washington Redskins are right there at the top of the NFC East.

Kirk Cousins connected with DeSean Jackson for a 63-yard touchdown pass and scored on a fourth-down quarterback sneak, Washington intercepted Eli Manning three times, and the Redskins held on to beat the New York Giants 20-14 Sunday, pulling into a tie for first place.

New York trailed 20-0 before making things interesting as Manning threw fourth-quarter TD passes of 40 yards to Rueben Randle and 21 yards to Odell Beckham Jr., who made a fantastic diving catch, corralling the ball with his left hand while parallel to the ground.

The Giants came into the day with a chance to create some space in the standings. Instead, they're 5-6, just like the Redskins, with five games remaining. The Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) and Dallas Cowboys (3-8), both routed on Thanksgiving Day, are the other members of the mediocre division.

Setting the tone on a chilly, dreary day, New York's first two possessions ended when passes by Manning went in and out of receivers' hands and were picked off _ first by linebacker Perry Riley Jr., then by cornerback Will Blackmon.

On the Giants' first drive of the second half, Manning's throw on third-and-goal at the 4 was intercepted in the end zone by rookie Quinton Dunbar, who switched from receiver to cornerback in training camp.

It was the 20th three-interception game of two-time Super Bowl MVP Manning's career. He wound up 26 for 51 for 321 yards with the pair of late scores. Beckham had nine catches for 141 yards.

Cousins was 20 for 29 for 302 yards, including the long TD to Jackson _ who taunted the Giants by strutting along the goal line before actually crossing it _ and zero interceptions. When the fourth-year QB avoids getting picked off this season, Washington is 5-0; when he throws at least one interception, the team is 0-6.

The Redskins have been about as up-and-down as can be in Gruden's second year. They are 5-1 at home, including five consecutive wins, and 0-5 on the road. They have not won two consecutive games. Entering Sunday, their previous two results were a 33-point victory, followed by a 28-point loss.

The Giants were coming off their bye and looked rusty, particularly on offense.

Manning had miscommunication issues with Beckham in the first quarter, and with Dwayne Harris in the second, resulting in throws that did not match the receivers' routes.

It didn't help matters that the Giants began the game without two injured starters along the offensive line, then lost a third in the first half when guard Geoff Schwartz left with a fractured lower leg.

New York's first 10 drives culminated in three turnovers and seven punts. On the team's 11th possession, Manning finally put some points on the board, hitting Randle. Then came Beckham's highlight-reel grab.

But it was too little, too late.

Washington led 17-0 at halftime, thanks in part to Cousins' 1-yard TD sneak with under 2 minutes to go that generated a full-throated chorus of ``Hail to the Redskins!'' As the teams headed to the locker rooms soon thereafter, fans gave a standing ovation, a rare salute to a club that has finished last in the NFC East in six of the past seven seasons.

** GAME LOG BELOW **

The Redskins won the toss and deferred to the second half. The opening kickoff went into the end zone and the Giants started their opening drive on their own 20.

Despite converting on two third-down plays, Manning’s third attempt at a conversion was batted into the air and picked off by Perry Riley Jr. He was able to return it past the 50 and give the Redskins a short field for their first drive.

Ball bobbled. Ball snatched by @PR56. WATCH: https://t.co/p8TSnUdHmE pic.twitter.com/evfsQaAHEH — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 29, 2015

However, a short run and two incomplete passes forced the Redskins to punt it away. Way was able to deaden the ball inside the Giants 10 yard line, pinning them back.

Faced with another third down deep in their own territory, Manning threw to Harris, but a strong hit jarred the ball loose and it was picked off by Will Blackmon. He brought it down to the Giants 26 yard line.

But Cousins and the offense couldn't get first down. Hopkins came out for a 51 yard field goal, but it was blocked. The Redskins were unable to score after two Giants turnovers.

Manning and his offense was able to pick up a first down, getting into Redskins territory. A holding penalty pushed them back and a screen pass wasn’t able to get another first down.

A Giants punt appeared to be stopped on the 1 yard line. A challenge by the Redskins showed the punt defender actually had a foot on the goal line, bringing the ball out to the 20.

Alfred Morris was featured heavily in the ensuing Redskins drive, rushing and catching passes. While a Cousins pass to the end zone fell incomplete, a swing pass to Thompson put the team in good position again as the first quarter ended.

Two consecutive penalties, one for holding and one for pass interference, pushed the Redskins back close to the 50 yard line. They could only get it back to the 24 yard line.

Hopkins came out again, this time for a 41 yard field goal attempt. He was able to drill this try, giving the Redskins the early lead. It was a 12 play, 56 yard scoring drive.

Redskins 3, Giants 0 - 2nd quarter

The Redskins defense rose to the occasion, batting away a long Manning pass and Ryan Kerrigan getting a sack to force a punt. The kick was downed at the Washington 37.

It took one play – a 63 yard, play action pass – to put the Redskins in the end zone for the first time today. Cousins threw a perfect strike to DeSean Jackson, who got behind the defense for the touchdown.

It's just DeSean having some fun after his TD in #NYGvsWAS! https://t.co/kPXoUaLlgj — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 29, 2015

Redskins 10, Giants 0 - 2nd quarter

The Giants offense was still searching for a spark, but not finding one. After a 5 play drive, they punted again, pinning the Redskins inside the 20 yard line.

The Redskins tried to take another deep shot down the field, but it was just overthrown by a few yards. Three plays and out forced the punt.

Two Manning passes failed to hit the mark after completing one. For the fourth time in the game, the Giants had to punt and giving the ball to the Redskins on their own 20.

Instead of going deep, Cousins hit Matt Jones with a short screen pass. Jones ran for 45 yards, taking the offense into Giants territory once again.

After two completions and a couple of run, the Redskins got into the Red Zone for the first time with a Jordan Reed catch, taking the ball down to the 5.

A pressured pass fell incomplete and the 2 minute warning arrived.

A Morris rush took it down to the 4. Cousins found Jason Crowder on a pivot route for an apparent touchdown, but a review showed Crowder’s knee was down short of the goal line.

Cousins called his own from about 2 inches out on fourth down, just getting the ball across the goal line.

Redskins 17, Giants 0 - 2nd quarter

The Giants took over after the ensuing kickoff with about 1:45 to go in the half. Manning was a bit off target on a couple of passes, and the Giants had to punt again – this time, pinning the Redskins on the 1 with less than 40 second to go.

The Redskins were content to let the clock run out.

Redskins 17, Giants 0 - Half

Getting the ball to start the second half, the offensive line has been doing a great job of giving Cousins time to throw. With Morris power running between the tackles and Cousins finding open receivers, they moved the ball downfield quickly.

However, the drive stalled, but they weren’t close enough for another field goal try. On fourth down, Cousins attempted to hand off the ball as it squirted free, giving the Giants the ball on downs.

Manning seemed to find his rhythm, hitting a couple key receptions, including a 31 yard completion to Beckham, to move the offense inside the 10. A tipped pass was nearly intercepted, and a short pass to Jennings took the ball inside the 5.

Manning tried to throw a dart, but it was picked off in the end zone by Quinton Dunbar, keeping the shutout in order.

What a time for #Redskins CB Quinton Dunbar to get his first career INT! #NYGvsWAS https://t.co/bTYsK3bZNl — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 29, 2015

The Redskins took over at the 20 yard line. After only managing 4 plays, the Redskins punted the ball away. In a game of field position, the Giants were pinned back on their 8 yard line.

A face mask penalty got the Giants away from the shadow of the goal post.

Three consecutive passes. Three consecutive knock downs by the Redskins defense put the Giants back into a punt formationfor the sixth time in the game.

The Giants defense stepped up, forcing a three and out and getting the ball back to their offense. The Redskins defensive line continues to put heavy pressure on Manning, forcing two quick throws and a sack. The Giants had to punt out of their end zone to Crowder, who brought it back to mid-field.

Morris continued his strong running and Reed just put his head down to move the offense down the field as the third quarter ended. A couple of short runs and a penalty ended the drive short of the goal line. Hopkins came on for a 33 yard field goal and extended the lead.

Redskins 20, Giants 0 - 4th quarter

The Giants started working a no huddle offense. Manning found Beckham for 31 yards, which was added onto by a horsecollar tackle penalty. But a couple of incomplete passes and another sack brought up fourth down.

Manning found Randall on 4th and 16 for 40 yards and a touchdown. The Giants quarterback had plenty of time to find the crossing wide receiver for the score.

Redskins 20, Giants 7 - 4th quarter

After getting the ball on the 9 yard line after the kickoff, a roughing the quarterback penalty helped the Redskins offense get away from their own end zone. However, a couple of short passes was unable to sustain the drive.

Continuing to hurry up the offense, Manning was able to find a couple of soft spots in the defense. They were able to convert on another fourth down for a 28 yard pass.

In a move that is starting to become commonplace, Beckham snagged a Manning with one hand, secured it with the other and fell into the end zone. The Giants moved 9 plays for 77 yards in less than 2 ½ minutes.

Redskins 20, Giants 14 - 4th quarter

With the lead dwindling, the Redskins offense needed to keep the ball and chew up the clock. A key completion on third down to Reed kept the drive alive. A couple of strong runs by Morris forced the Giants to burn the rest of their timeouts.

The Giants defense stuffed Morris on the next two tries, forcing a punt with less than 30 seconds to go.

After another Redskins penalty on the punt, the Giants started the last drive on the 16 yard line with 19 seconds to go. A couple of passes to the sidelines gave them one last shot.

They tried a catch and lateral play, but one of the tosses ended up going out of bounds as time expired.

Redskins 20, Giants 14 - FINAL