EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Playing their first game without quarterback Jaxson Dart, the New York Giants got just enough from replacement Jameis Winston on offensc and another big play from safety Jevon Holland to win an ugly football game in the middle of a nor'easter.
Winston completed 12 of 18 passes for 117 yards, Holland intercepted Cam Ward with 17 seconds left and the Giants held on to beat the Tennessee Titans 12-7 on Sunday.
Coach John Harbaugh thought Winston did what was required and necessary in rainy, windy conditions.
“Today is the only day that we have, and today it was enough,” Winston said. “I’ve had games where I’ve thrown for 500 yards, and the game didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to be. Any time, any day, I would rather win.”
In the aftermath of Dart having surgery on his left knee that will sideline him for at least the remainder of the regular season, the Giants (2-1) lost their most important defensive player when Brian Burns injured his right knee in the fourth quarter. Burns is set to have further testing to determine the severity.
“There is some hope there, but we won’t know until we see the MRI,” Harbaugh said.
If it is significant like Dart’s injury, it is another blow to the Giants after Harbaugh’s tenure as coach got off to a promising start. Burns ranked second in the NFL in sacks last season behind record-setter Myles Garrett.
Offensively, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy kept the ball on the ground, in part because of the conditions, and piled up 138 yards rushing with no turnovers.
“Everybody saw how windy it was,” centre John Michael Schmitz said. “Everybody saw how wet the ball was. I feel like our offence did a great job protecting the ball.”
The Titans (0-3) narrowly avoided becoming the first NFL team in eight years to not pick up a first down before halftime. The offense run by former Giants coach Brian Daboll was held off the scoreboard until Cam Ward connected with Wan’Dale Robinson for the game’s only touchdown with 5:35 left.
They would have scored earlier had Ward not missed Carnell Tate wide open in the end zone. Ward found a rhythm late but was picked off by Holland in the end zone, his first interception this season.
“This was a hard-fought win,” said Holland, who had an interception for a third consecutive game. “For us to come out here and get this done, it was nitty gritty. But it was important.”
Tennessee had blunders on offense, defense and special teams. Chimere Dike, an All-Pro as a rookie, fumbled the opening kickoff. It's the second fumble he has lost this season.
“We’re in a place right now we’re 0-3,” defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said. “We need to do more. We’ve got to stop talking: say less, do more.”
Simmons shines
Simmons was one of the few bright spots for the Titans. He sacked Winston in the first half, when he made a career-high seven tackles. No other defensive tackle has had as many in a half this season.
“Jeffery Simmons is on the other side of the ball, and you try to trap him — he’s an animal,” Giants running back Cam Skattebo said. “ He wrecked a couple plays, and shout-out to him, man. He’s a respected player in this league. He destroyed some plays.”
Injuries
Titans: Starting right guard Fernando Carmona left with an ankle injury on the team's first offensive play. ... Running back Tyjae Spears injured an ankle in the second half.
Giants: Fullback Patrick Ricard had a cut on his nose, Harbaugh said.
Up next
Titans: Visit Baltimore next Sunday
Giants: Host Arizona next Sunday.
