The New York Giants ended their worst start to a season in almost 40 years with a 23-7 triumph over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
Eli Manning avoided throwing an interception for the first time this season and the Giants (1-6) got a spark from recently signed running back Peyton Hillis to ruin Josh Freeman’s debut as the Minnesota quarterback.
New York’s 0-6 start was their worst since losing their opening nine games in 1976.
Photo: AFP
“We played smart,” Manning told reporters.
“Offensively, not turning the ball over and the defense played outstanding. It’s a start, we’ll go from here,” he said.
Manning threw a 24-yard touchdown to Rueben Randle in the second quarter to give the Giants a 10-3 lead after Minnesota had taken a 7-3 edge in the first quarter when Marcus Sherels delivered an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Hillis, who was acquired last week and thrust into action because of injury concerns among the running backs, scored on a one-yard run that stretched the advantage to 17-7 in the third quarter.
Hillis finished with 36 yards rushing and 45 receiving in his first game of the season.
“I think I did some things to help the team win and there’s a lot of things I didn’t,” Hillis said. “There’s a lot of room for improvement, and I’m just glad that I could be with this organization and get the win tonight.”
Freeman, who was released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and signed by the Vikings (1-5) earlier this month, completed 20 of 53 passes for 190 yards and an interception.
The Vikings fumbled away two punt returns to set up scores for New York.
Running back Adrian Peterson managed just 28 rushing yards as Minnesota’s offense struggled.
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