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FOOTBALL

New York Returns Home To Host New Orleans

After getting their first win of the season a week ago Eli Manning and the New York Giants return to East Rutherford New Jersey on Sunday where they will host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

New York who is a member of the NFC East comes into the game with a record of 1-2 “according to https://www.giants.com/schedule/while New Orleans who is a member of the NFC South comes into the game with a record of 2-1 “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/schedule/

As for New York’s previous game, they got their first win of the season on the road against Houston.

The Giants wanted to start fast in Houston, and start fast they did. After scoring on the first four possessions of their Week 3 matchup with the Texans, who also entered winless after two games, the Giants rode the early lead to a 27-22 victory, the first of Pat Shurmur’s tenure as head coach of the team. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-start-fast-hold-on-for-first-win

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS:

*Kicker Aldrick Rosas remained perfect this season, connecting on attempts from 44 and 30 yards.

*Stacy Coley, claimed off waivers on Wednesday after the Vikings released him, returned punts. He muffed the first one but recovered it. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/instant-analysis-giants-start-fast-hold-on-for-first-win

As for New Orleans previous game, they scored enough points to defeat Atlanta a week ago. Although it wasn’t a perfect game.

The New Orleans Saints didn’t have the start they envisioned for the second half on defense, offense or special teams in Sunday’s 43-37, overtime victory over the Falcons in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

Defensively, New Orleans couldn’t keep the Falcons out of the end zone on the first possession of the third quarter. Atlanta’s six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive greatly was assisted by Ken Crawley’s 45-yard pass interference penalty and gave the Falcons a 21-16 lead. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

Offensively, the Saints didn’t have an immediate response. New Orleans’ three-and-out series was one of just three such possessions in the game by the Saints. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

And then, on special teams after the three-and-out, the punt team committed two penalties on Thomas Morstead’s 49-yard punt. Justin Hardee’s face mask was accepted, and Zach Wood’s holding was declined. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

But all three units quickly redeemed themselves, and in a big way, when opportunity next was presented – perhaps no more so than special teams. “according https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

When the Saints defense stiffened to force a three-and-out from the Falcons on their next offensive possession, Matt Bosher and Atlanta lined up to punt on fourth-and-13 from the Atlanta 44-yard line. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

On Bosher’s punt attempt, Saints defensive end Alex Okafor simply beat his would-be blocker on the left side – Okafor dipped his right shoulder around and then it simply was a matter of speed – and he managed to get his left hand on the punt attempt. Linebacker Craig Robertson collected the block at the Falcons’ 28 and returned it 12 yards, to the 16. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

Four plays later, and even after a false start penalty on first-and-goal from the 6, Drew Brees stepped up in the pocket to avoid the pressure and fired a touchdown pass to Cameron Meredith, who muscled through a couple of defenders the last two yards to score his first touchdown as a Saint on his first reception as a Saint. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

New Orleans took a 23-21 lead, and the shootout was on. But at a time when the Saints had enough of a dip for momentum to shift, Okafor’s block and the offensive score handed it right back to the Saints. “according to https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/alex-okafor-s-punt-block-ignited-new-orleans-saints-in-victory-over-atlanta-falc

Kick-off is set for 4:25pm from Metlife Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS. “according to https://www.giants.com/schedule/