Redskins Turn This One Over

The New York Giants nearly ran out of people to play defense Sunday, so they had to use a castoff from the opposing team. All he did was force the game-clinching turnover.

Backup safety Kato Serwanga, released Monday from Washington’s injured reserve list and signed by New York on Wednesday, stopped a potential game-winning drive when he stripped the ball from receiver Darnerien McCants in the Giants’ 27-21 victory over the Redskins.

Cornerback Ralph Brown, forced into starting duty because of injuries, had an interception and a fumble recovery in the first half. Altogether, the Giants (7-6) forced five turnovers despite playing without five defensive starters and kept their minuscule playoff hopes alive

“I was looking on the backs of the jerseys of a few guys to figure out what the heck, who is this?” defensive end Michael Strahan said. “Without those guys, we wouldn’t have won today.”

Brown had two dazzling runbacks to set up touchdowns, Kerry Collins completed 17 of 31 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, and Cornelius Griffin had three of New York’s six sacks and forced a fumble as the Giants won for the first time in three games. Washington is 5-8.

“Everybody’s counting us out, but we’re still alive,” said Coach Jim Fassel, who had critics calling for his job last week. “It will be over when we say it’s over.”

The two second-half turnovers were huge tide turners. The Giants had been sapped of momentum -- their 17-0 lead was down to 17-14 -- when Washington’s Champ Bailey fumbled a punt. Two plays later, the Giants scored on Tiki Barber’s one-yard run, and a 36-yard field goal by Matt Bryant padded the lead.

But they needed one last big play. Serwanga, who was sidelined with a knee injury all season before his unexpected release, came through when he stripped McCants at the Giant 30-yard line with 3:59 to play.

“Surreal would be a good word,” Serwanga said, “because a lot has happened. From injured reserve to a week later playing against a team you were just hanging out with for two years -- all in a matter of 72 hours. That’s a bit much for me.”

Collins said he hasn’t even said hello to Serwanga.

“He just started to put the milk and sugar in the coffee,” Collins said. “But the guy’s out there, what can you say? We’ll all talk to him now.”

The Giants played without linebackers Mike Barrow and Dhani Jones and cornerbacks Will Allen and William Peterson. Defensive lineman Keith Hamilton is out for the season.