Pro Football Returns
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Wide receiver Corey Washington caught a 74-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Nassib early in the fourth quarter, lifting the New York Giants to a 17-13 win over the Buffalo Bills in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio.
The contest at Fawcett Stadium marked the beginning of the NFL’s preseason schedule.
New York trailed 13-10 when Buffalo punted in the first minute of the final period. After a run lost 4 yards, Nassib and Washington connected on the next play to put the Giants in front for good.
Washington was claimed off waivers by the Giants from the Cardinals in May. He signed with Arizona as an undrafted rookie from Newberry College.
Nassib threw the most passes of the three Giants quarterbacks who saw action. He finished 7-for-12 for 139 yards and the one touchdown. Nassib was selected by New York in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, and he saw no action last season.
The Giants’ No. 1 quarterback, Eli Manning, played the first quarter and led
New York on one touchdown drive. Overall, he completed six of seven passes for 43 yards.
Running back Andre Williams gained 21 yards around left end to set up the Giants at Buffalo’s 3-yard line. On the next play, Williams went over right guard to give New York a 7-3 in the final minute of the first quarter.
Williams gained 48 yards on seven carries, all before halftime.
Buffalo quarterback EJ Manuel lasted just two unsuccessful drives in the opening quarter. He threw for 19 yards on 2-of-7 passing.
Quarterback Jeff Tuel guided the Bills on a 15-play, 80-yard drive that spanned the first two quarters and culminated in a 2-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Robert Woods (four catches, 49 yards).
The touchdown gave Buffalo a 10-7 lead. Giants kicker Brandon McManus booted a 47-yard field goal with 4:58 to go in the second quarter, tying the game heading into halftime.
Tuel wound up completing 12 of 17 passes for 74 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Bills quarterback Thaddeus Lewis went 9-for-14 for 81 yards and an interception.
Buffalo running back Bryce Brown gained 40 yards on seven carries.
