Bodog Beat

Plaxico Burress had a huge second half to pace the Giants to their first win of the season. (AP Images)

Down 17-3 at halftime, it looked as though the New York Giants were about to suffer their third straight loss to start the season. That was until Plaxico Burress decided to show up.

The lanky wide receiver had five catches for 86 yards and the game-winning score in the second half as the Giants won a key divisional battle over the Washington Redskins 24-17. After starting the season with 10 rather uninspired quarters of football, the Giants put forth a great final two, paced by a defense that had given up 80 points over the last two games. In the second half today, the Giants yielded only 81 yards and kept the Redskins off the scoreboard.

The Redskins had several opportunities to tie the game late, but a lack of running ability near the goal line and questionable decision-making from QB Jason Campbell kept Washington from sending the game to overtime. On the final play, running back Ladell Betts was dropped for a two-yard loss.

In other NFL afternoon action:

• Seattle 24, Cincinnati 21 – Matt Hasselbeck found Nate Burleson for the go-ahead score with one minute remaining, and Glen Holt fumbled the subsequent kickoff to allow the Seahawks to squeak past the Bengals at Qwest Field. TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson combined for over 250 receiving yards but could only find the end zone once, as some timely plays from the Seahawks secondary kept the game close throughout.

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