Giants run over the Oilers
The New York Giants used their running game to overpower the Tennessee Oilers, 20-12, Sunday at the Liberty Bowl.
With rookie RB Tiki Barber back in the lineup from injury, the Giants used a three-headed monster to rush 43 times for 184 yards in the victory. Barber rushed 11 times for 41 yards and a TD. Tyrone Wheatley led the Giants in rushing, though, as he carried the ball 14 times for 79 yards and a TD. Charlie Way carried the ball 11 times for 59 yards.
The running game was used to compensate for the poor performance from backup QB Danny Kannell, who threw for only 111 yards on 7 of 19 passing. Kannell also threw 2 interceptions on the day.
As for the Oilers, they rushed for 147 yards but could not get into the endzone. They reached the Red Zone four times and came away with only three field goals. QB Steve McNair threw an interception on the other opportunity in the Red Zone. K Al Del Greco did all the scoring for the Oilers with 4 made field goals.
McNair struggled on the day. He was 15 of 37 passing with 201 yards and 3 costly interceptions. McNair did scramble for 60 yards. Eddie George rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries.
The Giants got a huge play on the second offensive play of the game. OLB Jesse Armstead picked off McNair and raced 27 yards for an interception return for a touchdown. K Brad Daluiso missed the extra point, but the Giants led 6-0 45-seconds into the game.
The Giants will host Arizona next week in an NFC East matchup. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 27-14 earlier in the season. The Giants are just one game behind the Redskins for the NFC East lead and they will face them in two weeks on Sunday Night Football at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium.
The Oilers are now 4-6 and still in the hunt in the AFC playoff race. Next week, they will travel to Jacksonville to take on the struggling Jaguars.