NFL EXHIBITIONS : Giants Control Ball and Beat Buffalo, 23-17

The New York Giants, using a ball-control offense, made Ray Handley’s coaching debut a success by beating the Buffalo Bills, 23-17, Monday night in an exhibition game at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Giants, who held the ball for more than 40 minutes in beating the Bills in last January’s Super Bowl, had it for 38 minutes Monday night.

Both Giant quarterbacks, Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler, played well. Simms completed six of 11 passes for 46 yards and led the Giants to 10 points. Hostetler was 10 of 13 for 136 yards and helped the Giants score 13 points.

Hostetler’s big play was a 48-yard, third-quarter pass play to fullback Maurice Carthon that gave New York a first down at Buffalo four. Two plays later, Lewis Tillman scored from the three to break a 10-10 tie.

Tampa Bay 23, Cleveland 10--Starter Vinny Testaverde completed all four of his passes for 44 yards and backups Chris Chandler and Jeff Carlson each directed touchdown drives as the Buccaneers won at Cleveland.

The crowd of 64,753 observed 30 seconds of silence before the game in honor of Paul Brown, who died earlier Monday.