EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Eli Manning threw for two touchdowns and set up another score with a 59-yard screen pass to help the New York Giants take a 31-10 halftime lead over the streaking Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
The 31 points were the most in a half by the Giants, who came into the game looking to snap a two-game losing streak and open a two-game lead in the NFC East. They looked more sharper coming off their bye week.
Manning, who had not thrown a touchdown pass in the previous three games, hit rookie Rueben Randle for a 16-yard score late in the first quarter and connected with Victor Cruz on a 9-yard TD strike early in the second. The two-time Super Bowl MVP also connected with halfback Ahmad Bradshaw on a 59-yard screen pass to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Andre Brown on the game's opening series.
The Giants' defense also helped the offense break out of a slump by setting up 10 points with two turnovers.
Corey Webster's first-quarter interception led to a 43-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes a little more than two minutes after Randle's first career touchdown gave New York a 14-7 lead.
A strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers by Osi Umenyiora and a 10-yard return by Jason Pierre-Paul late in the half set up Bradshaw's 13-yard scoring run that gave the Giants a 21-point lead.
Rodgers and Jordy Nelson hooked up on a 61-yard scoring pass for the Packers on their opening series, but Green Bay looked nothing like the team that came into the game with a five-game winning streak. The Packers needed to win to stay tied with Chicago (8-3) in the NFC North.
Each team scored a touchdown on its opening possession, with the Giants accomplishing the feat for the first time since playing Carolina in the third week of the season.
The Manning-to-Bradshaw screen, which was set up by a fake end around, gave New York a first and goal at the Packers 2.
Rodgers needed only four plays to take the Packers 77 yards. The scoring pass came after he eluded a pass rush, allowing Nelson to get behind Webster. The play was reviewed when it momentarily appeared that the receiver stepped out of bounds before making the catch.
Green Bay had a chance to take the lead on its second possession but Mason Crosby was wide left on a 55-yard field goal. He converted a 28-yarder in the second quarter to cut the Giants lead to 24-10.
The Giants went 55 yards for the TD after Crosby's miss, with Manning keeping the drive alive with a 13-yard, third-down scramble on which he tried to run over cornerback Tramon Williams.
Webster came off receiver James Jones to step in front of Randall Cobb and intercept Rodgers on the next play from scrimmage. Tynes kicked his field goal four plays later.
Cruz's touchdown capped an eight-play, 61-yard drive that featured a 25-yard pass to Hakeem Nicks.
The Packers lost running back Johnny White to a concussion. Defensive end C.J. Wilson injured a knee on the opening series and was listed as questionable to return. Backup linebacker Jamari Lattimore hurt a calf.
Giants tackle David Diehl suffered a first-half stinger.
Manning throws for 2 TDs as Giants lead Packers
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Manning throws for 2 TDs as Giants lead Packers
