Patriots and Giants both lose on last-second field goals
Tampa, Fla. — Odell Beckham Jr. isn't giving up on the Giants' chances of making the playoffs. "I would've never thought we would go 0-4, but it is what it is," the speedy receiver said after Sunday's 25-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers extended the team's worst start since 2013, when New York began with six consecutive losses before winning seven of its final 10 to finish 7-9.
"That's what our record is," Beckham added. "We can't sit here and cry about it. You just have to keep trying to get better each and every day, get the first win and see what happens from there."
The loss, on Nick Folk's 34-yard field goal as time expired, was New York's second straight on a last-second field goal.
Coach Ben McAdoo said he doesn't have any doubts that the Giants have a strong locker room and will stick together as a team moving forward. He also was in no mood to discuss the club's slim playoff prospects.
"We need to win a damn game," the second-year coach said.
The Giants entered the season with expectations of contending for the NFC East title after going 11-5 last season.
"I'm not surprised. I'm not shocked," McAdoo said. "You can't carry things over from one season to the next. We have to be hungry, be willing to work."
Eli Manning said the Giants have to remain
united and simply play better to turn the season around.
"I don't know what the word is. Frustrated in a sense," the quarterback said after throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. "I feel like we're doing some good things. It's just we're not playing our best football. You can see it. We're leaving some plays out there."
Beckham had seven catches for 90 yards, including a 42-yarder that helped set up Manning's 2-yard scoring pass to Rhett Ellison for a short-lived 23-22 lead. The receiver hasn't given up on the idea of salvaging the season — with a postseason berth.
"I think there's a 1 percent chance in making it to the NFL, so there's still a percentage. There's still a chance," Beckham said.
"Twelve games, I guess you have to win all 12 (or) you've got to win 11," the receiver added. "You have to do what you have to do . ... It's time to win. There's no other way to put it, but it's time to win."
Injuries
Giants: Beckham left for the final four plays of New York's first TD drive when he injured a finger on his right hand attempting to make a catch along the sideline. He returned on the team's next possession . ... DE Olivier Vernon left in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return . ... DT Damon Harrison left in the third quarter with a bruised knee, but returned. ... C Weston Richberg left in the second half with a concussion.
Buccaneers: They played without LBs Lavonte David (ankle) and Kwon Alexander (hamstring), as well as S T.J. Ward.
In the booth
The Fox broadcast crew working the game featured twin brothers Ronde and Tiki Barber, who played their entire NFL careers for the Bucs and Giants, respectively. After playing together in college at Virginia, Ronde spent 16 years for Tampa Bay and Tiki starred for 10 seasons in New York. They were 2-2 in head-tohead meetings as pros.