New York Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney (29) catches one of two interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders as the Raiders Zay Jones (7) and the Giants James Bradbury (24) look on at Met Life Stadium at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford NJ on Sun Nov 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Las Vegas Raiders beat writer

The Las Vegas Raiders (5-3) dropped their first game after winning two straight games. The New York Giants (3-6) put some defense together in the first half holding the Raiders 13 points at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey to an eventual 23-16 final score. To the Raiders credit they held the Giants to ten points in the first half.

The Giants opened it up by scoring first and they also big help from defensive back Xavier McKinney who caught two interceptions running one back in the early second quarter for a 41 yard touchdown. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s throw was a wobbly toss that allowed McKinney to make the pick.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 30 yards to receiver Evan Engram for a touchdown that tied the game in the first quarter. The Giants kicker Gram Gano booted three field goals through the uprights and it was after McKinney’s second interception that helped set up one of those field goals. McKinney was filling for Saquon Barkley. The Giants Devontae Booker ran for 99 yards but had to leave due to a hip injury.

The Raiders bounced right back with the touchdown of their own to tie it at 7-7. Carr threw for a two yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. However Carr missed throwing to wide receiver Darren Waller as halftime was approaching and the Raiders were able to get two field goals and another at the start of the third quarter from kicker Daniel Carlson.

The second quarter offered no real surprise as the score stayed fairly tight but after halftime the Raiders came out like a team that just made no adjustments , had unusual worry on their mind, at halftime.

The Giants made several adjustments picking off Derek Carr twice as Alabama’s famous DB McKinney made two big picks , the second being a killer in the fourth quarter.

All this Topped by a rare missed field goal of 25 yards by Karlsson the Raiders really suffered and sputtered in getting the offense going in the second half today. Final drive resulted in a Derek Carr sacking and fumble in the red zone to end it.

With the recent car accident of former wide receiver Henry Ruggs which ended up killing fellow motorist Tina Tintor as Ruggs was DUI and looking at a 46 year maximum sentence and the resignation last month of former Raider head coach Jon Gruden for racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails to former Washington Football Team president Bruce Allen the Raiders might have been not totally focused.

The first place Raiders will return home next week to Las Vegas to play the Kansas City Chiefs one of their long time rivals.