East Rutherford, New Jersey: The New York Giants faced off against the Huston Texans last Sunday. Going into the game, the Giants thought they were going to power through the Texans. Though they secured the win 24-16, they didn’t play as dominant as expected.

The Texans came into the game against the Giants on a high. Though they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles the week before facing New York, but they held their own.

Against the Eagles, the Texans tied them at the half 14-14. The second half is where they fell short and lost the edge. However, as a team with a record of 1-5 going into their game against the Eagles who were 7-0 and holding a tight game, they had some confidence facing up against the 6-2 Giants.

New York on the other hand, coming of a loss to the Seahawks and a bye week, was ready to take the win and hopefully start what would be another winning streak.

But for the Giants, their victory was not assured until the final seconds. The team held the lead for the entirety of the game but there were times the Texans were a little too close for comfort.

A pair of fourth quarter turnovers by the Texans helped the Giants take the win home. With 14:09 left on the clock in the fourth, Dameon Pierce fumbled and Jaylon Smith recovered. Short after with 9:49 left to play, rookie Dane Belton secured his first career interception on a pass by Davis Mills in the end zone.

Regardless of the fact that the Giants didn’t play to their full potential, they still had many defensive powerhouses. Leonard Williams being one of them with nine tackles and a forced fumble. Of course Dexter Lawrence is another one five tackles, a sack and five quarterback hits.

Recognized as energy player of the game was none other than Saquan Barkley. Against the Texans he carried a career high - 35 times for 152 yards. Out of his 16 career 100 yard rushing performances, 4 of them are from this season.

Barkley proves to progress with every game he plays. After being shut down just two weeks before by the Seahawks where he recorded a season low of 53 yards, Barkley proved he is a force to be reckon with.

New York’s offense played a solid game as well. Lawrence Cager, who was pulled up from the practice squad, secured the first touchdown of the game with a nine yard catch. Darius Slayton made an outstanding 54 yard touchdown catch and run while the last two touchdown run of the game was scored by Barkley.

The last three minutes of the game is where the offensive plays got interesting for both the Giants and the Texans.

With 2:22 left to play, the Texans cut the lead to eight with a 34 yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn. New York answered with 1:55 left with Graham Gano’s 49 yard field goal. With seven seconds left the Texans tried to cut the lead and did so with a a a 46 yard field goal by Fairbairn.

Ultimately the Giants walked away with the win which gave them a 7-2 start. Not only is this their best start since the 2008 season, but it marks the first time since 2016 that the Giants have won more than six games in a season. The win also moved New York above the Cowboys in the NFC East, placing them in second right behind the Eagles.