Eli Manning attempted nine passes for the New York Giants, while Tom Brady was protected for the regular season. The starters were the footnote on Thursday night as Tim Tebow did what he seems to inevitably do, win games in the fourth quarter. On Thursday he threw two late touchdowns to seal a 28-20 victory.
Giants vs. Patriots 2013 final score: Tim Tebow leads late comeback, 28-20
The New England Patriots won the game with a deep Tim Tebow pass in the fourth quarter.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
With just over 12 minutes in the fourth quarter Tebow threw a 52-yard pass to Quentin Sims that helped secure a 28-20 win. Up to that point he'd completed just four passes for 30 yards. Headlines will surround Tebow, but Ryan Mallett had a good game for New England also, as he completed 10 for 17 passes, gaining 117 yards and adding both a touchdown and an interception. Kenbrell Thompkins didn't have the effect many had hoped, finishing with 24 receiving yards.
The New York Giants had a balanced offensive game, but the big story is the broken leg sustained by running back Andre Brown. He was supposed to assist as the Giants short-yardage back this year and be an insurance policy for David Wilson, who has been fumble-prone in the past. Wilson finished with 37 yards on six carries, and New York's depth at the position is shaky at best.
Injury Report
Other than Brown’s injury, nothing serious occurred on Thursday.
Did they cover?
The Patriots were 1-point favorites, according to OddsShark. Their eight point victory meant New England covered.
What’s next?
Sept. 8: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sept. 9: New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
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