Victor Cruz Lifts Giants to 27-23 Win over Robert Griffin III and the Redskins

The Washington Redskins and New York Giants proved that the NFC East will continue to provide exciting division battles, as late heroics from Eli Manning and Victor Cruz led New York to a 27-23 victory.

The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter, but the Giants took a seven-point lead after intercepting a Robert Griffin III pass and driving 35 yards down the field, capping off the short drive with an Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown run.

But Griffin showed the maturity and poise that has made him a star, finishing off a seven-play, 77-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss that put the Redskins up 23-20 with just 1:38 remaining in the game. 

Manning then came back on the field, ready to make another fourth-quarter comeback. While past late-game performances have featured several impressive throws on long, sustained drives, it only took the two-time Super Bowl champion two plays to seal a third consecutive victory for his team.

Manning hit Victor Cruz for a 77-yard touchdown pass, and a fumble by Moss on the ensuing drive allowed the Giants offense to return to the field in the victory formation. 

Cruz finished the game with seven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown, while Manning completed 26-of-40 passes for 337 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. 

Griffin connected on 20-of-28 throws for 258 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 89 yards on nine carries, and Alfred Morris added 120 more yards on 22 carries.

The Redskins are now 3-4 on the season and have yet to win back-to-back games this season, while New York improved to 5-2.