Giants Outlast Titans in Storm-Battered Week 3 Game at MetLife

Rain and wind from a Nor'easter turned Week 3 into a punt-filled grind, and New York's special teams plus a late Jevon Holland interception decided it.

The New York Giants defeated the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 27, in Week 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A Nor'easter hitting the Eastern Seaboard brought severe weather to the stadium, and wind and rain turned the afternoon into a field-position struggle. The matchup also carried the subplot of multiple coaches facing their former teams.

New York committed to the ground game, finishing with 33 rushing attempts against 22 passes from quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston had been installed as the starter after Jaxson Dart was injured in Week 2, and the conservative approach reflected both the weather and the adjustment at quarterback under head coach Robert Saleh.

Tennessee generated almost nothing before halftime. The Titans did not record a first down until late in the second quarter and finished the half with one. The teams traded possession on punts nine times before the break, with three Giants field goals breaking up the kicking battle.

Special teams swung the game toward New York. Titans Pro Bowl returner Chimere Dike fumbled the opening kickoff, though with the ball in Tennessee territory, a penalty and a Titans defensive stand forced the Giants to punt it back. Dike also made several risky decisions on punt returns, including one ball fielded on a bounce that nearly produced another turnover.

Giants punter Jordan Stout controlled field position with two punts of more than 60 yards, including a 73-yarder, and pinned Tennessee deep time after time. Saleh's gambles largely failed, as his fourth-down tries came up short and a 59-yard field goal attempt at the halftime buzzer missed, leaving points off the board.

The Tennessee defense held firm despite repeatedly taking the field in poor position. The Giants appeared on track for a touchdown until offensive coordinator Matt Nagy dialed up a trick play, a direct snap to Cam Skattebo that lost seven yards. New York then threw incomplete on third down and settled for a field goal.

After the storms briefly eased at halftime and returned in force, the Titans offense found a rhythm behind quarterback Cam Ward, posting double-digit first downs after the break. Tennessee scored a touchdown in the closing minutes and then drove into position for a potential winning score.

That possession decided the game. With two timeouts in hand and open space to run, Ward instead threw toward the end zone, where Giants safety Jevon Holland intercepted to clinch the win. Ward had managed the clock and the drive well to that point, and he also missed a wide-open touchdown pass late in the game.

The loss dropped Tennessee to 0-3, with a trip to Baltimore looming next Sunday, where former Titans running back Derrick Henry awaits. The Giants, who have dealt with a multitude of injuries and mainly wanted to get through the game healthy, picked up the win despite their own limited offense. Tennessee's offensive line held up well, but Ward's late mistakes proved costly for the Titans.