The Sports Xchange

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After a pair of agonizing defeats to open the season, the New York Giants finally got to enjoy a laugher Thursday night.

Converted two takeaways into 14 points, the Giants rolled to a 32-21 win over the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium.

New York twice picked off Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was 30-for-49 for 315 yards with one touchdown pass. Cornerback Prince Amukamara made the first interception in the first quarter, and linebacker Uani’ Unga grabbed a tipped pass in the third quarter.

“The first one I thought the corner made a great play, he jumped the route,” Cousins said. “The second one, I’m just trying to find a completion and get it to a safe spot. So you can call it whatever you want.”

New York quarterback Eli Manning completed 23 of 32 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle, who was invisible the first two weeks of the season, finished with seven receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown.

Randle, who entered play Thursday with four receptions for 28 yards while filling in for the injured Victor Cruz, received extra encouragement this week.

“I felt like for a couple weeks he has been coming on and carrying more and more like himself,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “I told him that I thought he would have a big game for the night, and obviously he did. So I’m happy for Rueben — let’s hope he comes out of this thing and gives us more.”

Also having a nice night for the Giants in the passing game was receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who added seven catches for 79 yards and a score.

What we learned about the Redskins:

1. The Giants have Kirk Cousins’ number. In three starts against New York, Cousins has thrown eight interceptions. Cousins shook his head when asked if there was something about playing New York that was different.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think, again, I can go back and look at those games individually and break them down, but I think the focus is on tonight. Basically, we just didn’t do enough and didn’t get it done.”

2. The Redskins’ special teams still stink. Although the unit did get a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Rashad Ross, it also allowed the big blocked punt by Giants running back Rashad Jennings, the ball rolling out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

“You work on them every day. Unfortunately, we gave in to pressure again,” coach Jay Gruden said. “We almost had the first one blocked, and they came out to block the second one. We have to get them corrected, obviously.”

3. Running back Alfred Morris was used sparingly, finishing with six carries for 19 yards. “I think it was just a different personnel group, and that calls for different backs,” Gruden said of Morris’ limited touches. “It just happened to play out like that. We’re not playing favorites right now. We’re just trying to play fresh guys. It just so happened when Matt (Jones) was in the game, running plays were called.”

Jones carried the ball 11 times for 38 yards.

Etc.

–CB DeAngelo Hall, who sustained a toe injury, will have additional tests done to determine the severity. Coach Jay Gruden said he didn’t know what degree Hall’s injury was but added, “By the way he walked off the field, I’m not too thrilled.”

–QB Kirk Cousins, who has thrown four interceptions in three games, is in no danger of losing his starting job to Colt McCoy just yet. “Kirk is fine,” coach Jay Gruden said. “We have to play better around him. There’s no quarterback controversy.”

–ILB Keenan Robinson finished as the Redskins’ defensive leader with 13 tackles, 10 solo.

–LG Shawn Lauvao was carted off the field in the first quarter due to a sprained left ankle. He did not return to the game.