LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- Six days after an emotional overtime loss, the New York Giants blew a big lead but Matt Bryant wrote a happy ending for them.
Bryant's 29-yard field goal 4:15 into overtime lifted the Giants to a 24-21 victory over the Washington Redskins in a battle of NFC East rivals.
"When it comes to overtime, you get a little more focused in on that kick," Bryant said. "You want it to end right then and there."
The Redskins had rallied from a 21-3 halftime deficit. Patrick Ramsey hit Darnerien McCants with a four-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and connected with Rod Gardner on a six-yard scoring play and followed with the two-point conversion to McCants to pull the Redskins (2-1) within 21-18.
Ramsey then directed a six-play, 57-yard drive to set up John Hall's game-tying field goal with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
But the Giants won the coin toss in overtime and marched 83 yards in nine plays after starting on their own 6 to set up Bryant's winning field goal. The biggest play came when fullback Jim Finn caught a short pass in the flat off play action and turned it into a 27-yard gain to the Washington 20.
"They bit on the play action," Finn said. "No one was covering me. It was pretty simple. No one was out there."
Tiki Barber, who finished with 126 yards on 28 carries, then ran up the middle for 11 more yards. After Collins took a knee for a two-yard loss, Giants coach Jim Fassel sent Bryant out on second down for the winning field goal.
"The guys realized after last week that we couldn't afford to lose another game like last week," said Giants defensive end Michael Strahan. "A lot of guys came into this week not necessarily over it. Last thing we wanted to do was lose another close game like that."
Bryant faced intense criticism after his kickoff rolled out of bounds late in the fourth quarter of last Monday's 35-32 overtime loss to Dallas, giving the Cowboys possession at the 40. After a 26-yard pass by Quincy Carter, Billy Cundiff kicked a 52-yard field goal on the final play of regulation and then won the game in overtime.
Kerry Collins threw three first-half touchdowns, including a pair to Ike Hilliard, for the Giants (2-1).
But after completing 14-of-20 passes for 189 yards in the first half, Collins was just 7-of-14 for 37 yards in the second half. But in the winning drive in overtime, he was 3-of-5 for 50 yards.
Hilliard caught seven passes for 58 yards and tight end Jeremy Shockey had six receptions for 92 yards for New York. Shockey caught 16 passes in the Giants' sweep of Washington last season.
Ramsey was just 5-of-15 for 80 yards in the first half, but turned it around in the second half, completing 18-of-30 for 268 yards. However, he did not get a chance in overtime.
"They threw some looks at us coverage-wise and blitz-wise that I think we had not seen on film," Ramsey said. "Coach made some adjustments calling plays in order to combat that in the second half. I think that's why we were more successful. The coaches were calling good plays. It was unfortunate that we were unable to get a chance."
Last week, the Redskins rallied from a 17-point deficit in a 33-31 win at Atlanta.
After pulling within 21-18, the Redskins started at their own 28 with 2:01 left. Ramsey hit Laveranues Coles with a 21-yard pass and connected with McCants on a 32-yard play to the New York 19. But after an offensive holding penalty on tackle Chris Samuel forced the Redskins into a 3rd-and-20, Ramsey hit fullback Rock Cartwright with a 14-yard pass and the Redskins settled for the tying field goal with 13 seconds left.
Coles enjoyed his third straight 100-yard game with seven catches for 105 yards.
"Everybody fought to the bitter end and you can't ask for more than that," Coles said.
This game featured 32 penalties, including a franchise-tying 17 for 142 yards by Washington.
"Hopefully one day we can play without all the careless penalties that we always seem to get," said Redskins coach Steve Spurrier. It was just pure bad discipline on the part of our team and as coaches we have to try and correct it somehow. We had 17. That's a whole bunch."
A 37-yard punt return by Chad Morton set up a 42-yard field goal by Hall 6:23 into the game.
But the Giants dominated the rest of the half, putting together three touchdown drives. The first went 74 yards in 11 plays and resulted in a five-yard touchdown pass from Collins to Hilliard with 2:45 left in the quarter.
Collins connected with Toomer on a 54-yard scoring play with 5:41 remaining in the second quarter. Toomer victimized Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey by faking an outside move and catching a pass over the middle.
"He's a great receiver, I have to give him a lot of credit," Bailey said of Toomer. "Every time I face him, I look forward to the challenge. He's one of the best that I'll face all year."
Collins hit Hilliard with another five-yard TD pass with 19 seconds left in the half.
Ramsey completed 6-of-10 passes for 75 yards to highlight a 10-play, 89-yard drive which resulted in a four-yard TD pass to McCants with 3:47 left in the third quarter.
Running back Ladell Betts turned a short pass into a 34-yard gain and Ramsey hit Coles with a 22-yard pass before connecting with Gardner on a six-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion pass to McCants pulled the Redskins within 21-18.
