Jason Pierre-Paul came into Sunday’s game saying this was the most healthy he has been all season. He did not have the breakout performance he might have envisioned, but he showed some signs of the menacing JPP in the Giants’ 24-20 victory over the Raiders.
“This is the best I’ve felt, coming out of the game, starting the game,’’ Pierre-Paul said. “You know, I was running to the ball every play. I just felt good out there. You know, all I can say, I’m not fully all the way back, but I’m getting there, I’m getting there.’’
In the first quarter, Pierre-Paul came up with a 4-yard sack of Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor. But on the next play, Pierre-Paul hit the turf hard after missing a leg-tackle on Rashad Jennings, stayed down, slowly got to his feet and hobbled off. He hurt his shoulder but was able to return.
“Just a stinger, that’s it,’’ he said.
The Giants went in at halftime trailing 17-14, but instead of getting down, were given a big lift by coach Tom Coughlin.
“He really got us fired up,’’ linebacker Jon Beason said. “I think he’s 67 years old, he’s still got it, man. He lights that fire, it starts with him, he’s always giving us little tidbits or motivational stuff to keep us fighting.’’ … The Giants had lost their last 10 games when trailing at the half, including six this season. … The Raiders are 1-12 playing on the East coast since 2008. … The Giants won their sixth straight game following their regular-season bye.
The Giants committed only one penalty for 5 yards. … Rookie Cooper Taylor’s 21-yard return of Damontre Moore’s block was the Giants’ first touchdown off a blocked punt since Sept. 5, 1988, when Tom Flynn brought one back 27 yards against the Redskins, on a punt blocked by Gary Reasons. … The victory was the 154th in Coughlin’s regular-season career, moving him into a tie for 15th place on the NFL’s career list with Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs. … Andre Brown became the Giants’ eighth different starting running back this season.
Eli Manning has thrown 16 interceptions, one more than he threw the entire 2012 season. He had gone 91 consecutive passes without an interception before the pick-six to Tracy Porter in the second quarter. … Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army Chief of Staff and a big Giants fan, participated in the pregame coin toss and visited with players in the locker room after the game.
Running back David Wilson, on injured reserve, has been told by his doctors he faces increased risk of neck injury if he plays again, according to an ESPN report, which states Wilson wants and expects to play next season. The Giants continue to maintain Wilson’s injury remains in the recovery process and the team has not come to any conclusions on where the process will lead Wilson as far as his future.