Saints Take 7-6 Halftime Lead Over Giants
The New York Giants, looking to keep their slim playoff hopes alive by extending their three-game winning streak, currently trail the New Orleans Saints at halftime, 7-6.
The Saints have dominated the Giants on offense, outgaining them 112 to 99 yards on offense and averaging 4.5 yards per play versus the 2.8 yards per play for the Giants.
The Giants drew first blood on kicker Randy Bullock's 56-yard field goal that came on the opening drive, a drive extended thanks to the Saints defensive back J.T. Gray being flagged for running into punter Jamie Gillan on 4th-and-1 from the Giants' 34-yard line.
Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball while defended by New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints answered by taking the lead on quarterback Derek Carr's 7-yard touchdown pass to receiver Keith Kirkwood. Carr did a masterful job of freezing the Giant's defense in the middle of the file and then threading the needle to give the Saints their eighth red-zone touchdown in their last nine possessions.
The Giants closed the scoring gap to 7-6 when punter Jamie Gillan, kicking for the injured Randy Bullock (hamstring/questionable), hit a 40-yard field goal to make it a one-point Saints lead.
The attempt was Gillan's first career field goal attempt.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito, who wasn't sacked last week in the game against the Green Bay Packers, was sacked four times in the first half, the Giants offensive line having fewer answers to the various stunts the Saints threw at them. DeVito took a hard hit late in the second quarter and was pulled out of the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
Safety Jason Pinnock recorded his second sack of the season to top his previous career high of 1.5 set last season. DeVito is currently the Giants leading rusher with 36 yards on four carries. DeVito is also nine of 16 for 72 yards in the first half.
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