Giants begin with a win

Burress: Cashed in on and off the field

It's a win, that's a start and that was our goal

Eli Manning
Quotes of the week

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The New York Giants continued on from where they left off in last year's Super Bowl, defeating the Washington Redskins 16-7 in the NFL season-opener.

Eli Manning scored the only touchdown for the defending champions on a one-yard run while new kicker John Carney slotted over three field goals.

Just as they had been against the New England Patriots in Arizona in February, the Giants defence was outstanding.

They held the Redskins to 51 yards in the first half and it wasn't until the 28th minute of the contest that Jason Campbell managed to complete a pass.

Only points

Eventually the quarterback managed to find a team-mate in the end zone, hitting Santana Moss with a 12-yard throw just before half time.

That proved to be the last points of the contest, the two teams trading punts throughout a second half punctuated by penalties.

Washington's defeat means a disappointing start for new head coach Jim Zorn, who saw his team struggle badly to move the ball.

Despite being without defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, two key components of their Super Bowl success, the Giants pressurised Campbell throughout.

In contrast Manning moved the home side on an 84-yard, 11-play opening drive that culminated in him running into the end zone on a bootleg play.

He finished the game having completed 19-of-35 passes for 216 yards though he did throw an interception, Fred Smoot picking him off in the third quarter.

Goal

"It's a win, that's a start and that was our goal," Manning said.

"When you get inside (the 20-yard line) everything's got to be precise, got to be perfect so we don't settle for field goals."

The Giants managed to add points via the boot of kicker Carney, who had only recently been added to the roster, due to an injury to Lawrence Tynes, on their first four possessions.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress finished with 10 catches for 133 yards to celebrate signing a new five-year deal worth a reported $35 million.

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs also had a successful opening night to the new campaign, rushing for 116 yards on 21 carries.