This Time, Giants Defend Themselves : Seattle: Seahawks switch quarterbacks, but New York turns out lights on Stouffer, 15-3.

Kelly Stouffer may be the right quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, but it was the wrong time.

Stouffer got his first start of the season Sunday against the New York Giants, who proved a point with a 15-3 victory.

“We had to have this win because we were beaten so bad last week,” said Giant defensive end Leonard Marshall, who had two sacks and forced a fumble that resulted in a safety. “This does a lot for our team, gives us momentum again.”

The Giants (9-2) were coming off an embarrassing 31-10 defeat to the Rams last week. New York took a 7-0 lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Phil Simms to rookie tight end Howard Cross on their first series and never gave Seattle (4-7) a chance.

The Giants were so dominant that Seattle crossed into New York territory only twice, coming away with just a 42-yard field goal by Norm Johnson midway through the fourth quarter. Johnson missed a 35-yard field goal on the Seahawks’ other trip across midfield early in the game.

“This week was a must game for us,” linebacker Lawrence Taylor said. “We have some tough games ahead so we have to keep playing and keep winning.”

The Giants maintained their two-game lead over Philadelphia in the NFC East and pulled even with San Francisco for the best record in the NFL. The 49ers, who play host to the Giants next Monday night, lost to Green Bay, 21-17.

Seattle, defending AFC West champion, is all but eliminated from the race.

“We’re pretty confident about winning on Monday night,” Marshall said. “This just adds to that confidence and it will build up for a good matchup.”

Rookie kicker Bjorn Nittmo, subbing for injured Raul Allegre, lined a pair of 32-yard field goals to help the Giants hand Seattle its third straight loss and fourth in five games.

The Seahawks hoped to change their fortunes by starting Stouffer at quarterback in place of Dave Krieg. But the Giants’ defense, which gave up 445 yards in the loss to the Rams, wasn’t bothered in the least. It held Seattle to 195 yards in total offense, 12 first downs and allowed the Seahawks’ conservative offense to have the ball for just 24:26.

Stouffer completed 16 of 29 passes for 155 yards, with two interceptions.

“They played basic defense, but the people they have playing it aren’t basic people,” Stouffer said. “I felt good, but there were times I just wasn’t able to do the things I wanted to.”

The Giants, who gained just 207 yards against the Rams, dominated the opening half but left the field with only a 7-0 lead after Odessa Turner dropped a touchdown pass on the Giants’ second series and one play later, Nittmo’s 27-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright.