End of first: Giants 9, Patriots 0

Pivotal play: Trailing 2- 0, the Patriots appeared to have stopped the Giants with a fumble recovery at their own 7- yard line. But New England was called for having 12 men on the field, leading to the game’s first touchdown two plays later.

Critical stat:

Giants quarterback Eli Manning, 9- for- 9 for 77 yards.

Howit played out:

The Patriots stopped the Giants on the opening drive, but there were residual effects.

Steve Weatherford’s punt was downed at the 5- yard line, and quarterbacktombrady was called for intentional grounding in his own end zone on New England’s first play from scrimmage, resulting in a safety and a 2- 0 Giants lead.

Brady had good protection but was under pressure from Justin Tuck when he let the ball fly down the center of the field. Grounding was called because no receiver was in the vicinity. New York took the ensuing free kick and drove 78 yards in 5: 28.

New England appeared to have the drive stopped when wide receiver Victor Cruz was stripped of the ball after a catch and the Patriots recovered on their 7. But the Patriots were called for 12 men, and the Giants retained possession. Manning found Cruz in the end zone two plays later for a 9- 0 lead.

To that point, the Giants had run 19 plays from scrimmage, the Patriots one.

Manning completed his first nine passes, but Patriots defenders twice missed chances to deflect balls. Cornerback Antwaun Molden missed putting his hands on a 19- yard completion to Hakeem Nicks, and linebacker Jerod Mayo appeared to miss a chance to deflect the TD pass as it sailed by him.

As the quarter ended, the Patriots were driving, advancing to the Giants 17- yard line.

By Matt Kryger, The Indianapolis Star Accurate out of the gate: Giants quarterback Eli Manning passes during the first series Sunday as he is pursued by the Patriots’ Rob Ninkovich. Manning completed his first nine throws of the game.

Source: USA TODAY research By Bob Laird, USA TODAY