EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Coach Steve Spagnuolo and the St. Louis Rams came to the Meadowlands bearing gifts and the New York Giants readily accepted them.
Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes and linebacker Michael Boley scored on a 65-yard fumble return to lead New York to a 28-16 victory over the Rams on Monday night in the first matchup between Giants coach Tom Coughlin and Spagnuolo, his former defensive coordinator.
“It seemed when they gave us a little opening, we jumped in there and got points and scored touchdowns and didn’t settle for field goals,” said Manning, who completed 18-of-29 passes for 200 yards and one interception.
This one was ugly with mistakes by the Rams (0-2) giving New York (1-1) a crucial win.
All four of New York’s touchdowns resulted directly from St. Louis mistakes.
Manning hit Hakeem Nicks with a 3-yard TD pass after a muffed punt and Domenik Hixon made a spectacular juggling grab on a 22-yard score after a busted coverage late in the first half. Boley’s TD came on the lateral and New York’s final score was set up by a thirddown pass interference call.
Injury report.
The Giants lost wide receivers Mario Manningham (concussion) and Hixon (right calf) to injuries. . . . The Rams lost linebacker Ben Leber to a groin injury.
