Unlike Cowboys, Giants Gamble, Strike It Rich

Where Barry Switzer and the Dallas Cowboys failed, Dan Reeves and the New York Giants succeeded.

Rodney Hampton converted a fourth and inches from the Giants’ 41 right after the two-minute warning to set up a 40-yard touchdown pass from Dave Brown to Chris Calloway with 1 minute, 12 seconds to play as the Giants defeated the Washington Redskins, 20-13, Sunday.

The Giants’ game-winning gamble came only hours after Switzer and the Cowboys failed on a fourth and inches from their 29 with the score tied against Philadelphia. The Eagles then kicked a late field goal for a 20-17 victory.

Reeves was aware Dallas had lost the game, but he had no details. All he knew was the Giants (5-9) had blown a 13-3 halftime lead and Washington (4-10) had all the momentum after Terry Allen tied the score on a fourth-down, one-yard run with 3:35 to play.

Faced with the fourth down in his territory, Reeves didn’t hesitate to go even though the Giants had not gained a first down in the second half and had been limited to only two yards.

“In that situation, you’re just trying to win the game,” Reeves said. “We thought we had the play to do it and we ran left behind [tackle] Jumbo [Elliott].”

Hampton gained two yards. Three plays later, Brown and Calloway combined on the game winner as Redskin defensive back Tom Carter failed to knock the ball down.

Washington had a chance to tie or win the game when Brian Mitchell returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards and kicker Brad Daluiso was called for a facemask penalty, giving the Redskins the ball at the New York 23.

However, Heath Shuler threw four incomplete passes, the last batted away from Henry Ellard by Thomas Randolph at the Giants’ two.

The Giants have won two consecutive games for the first time this season and defeated Washington for the sixth consecutive time.

“The difference between winning and losing in this league is very fine and the plays you don’t make early in the game can haunt you in the fourth period,” said Redskin coach Norv Turner. “We just have to get over that hump, so when it comes down to one play, we make it and they don’t.”