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 The two-time Super Bowl winner has made a career out of living
dangerously, producing both critical plays and head-scratching
mistakes.
Manning had began the 2015 campaign doing more of the latter as his
miscues led to an 0-2 start for the Giants.
He rediscovered some of his quarterback magic in time to lead New
York to a 32-21 victory over the Washington Redskins on Thursday.
"We needed a win bad," Manning told reporters after tossing for 279
yards and two touchdowns. "We've been in there at the end and
weren't able to hold on (the past two weeks), so that was our
emphasis tonight: win the fourth quarter."
The veteran signal-caller seized the pivotal quarter against
Washington with a pair of TD throws that were signature Manning.
The first, was an across-the-field throw that was slightly off
target but snatched out of the air by acrobatic wide receiver Odell
Beckham Jr.
Manning put the stamp on the triumph with a 41-yard throw to Rueben
Randle that initially bounced off the receiver and fortuitously
eluded defender Bashaud Breeland before falling back into Randle's
hands.
A bounce here, or there, and Manning could have once again been the
culprit of a devastating defeat as he was during the opening two
weeks of the season when the Giants twice blew 10-point leads in the
fourth quarter.
Such is always the case for Manning, however, who plays as a study
in contrasts.
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He produced a pair of indelible Super Bowl wins, highlighted by his
throw to David Tyree in the closing moments of Super Bowl XLII, but
also twice led the NFL in interceptions during forgettable 2010 and
2013 campaigns.
The current Giants (1-2) have now gained some momentum in the wild
NFC East Division. Beckham Jr. continues to cement himself as a top
target, and sidelined receiver Victor Cruz could return to the team
next week.
New York can only hope that the best version of their suspenseful
quarterback returns as well.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; editing by Sudipto
Ganguly)
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