The Giants (1-0) beat the Redskins (0-1) tonight by a score of 16-7.

For a full box score, head to SNY.tv

In typical NFC East fashion, this one ended up being a close, tough fought battle. The Giants dominated the first half statistically, but gave up a quick score to end the half. Both teams looked rather sluggish in the second half.

Hours after signing a five year deal worth $35 million, Plaxico Burress made good on his contract, going off for a career high 10 receptions for 133 yards. The Redskins had no answer for Burress, who made a couple of highlight reel catches on the Giants opening touchdown drive. Eli Manning ran it in from one yard to cap an 11 play, 84 yard drive. Manning went 19 of 35 with 216 yards and one interception.

The offense looked good for most of the first half, but failed to cash in on three straight promising drives, settling for three field goals from John Carney (24, 25 and 47 yards respectively). The offense struggled in the 2nd half, failing to muster up any kind of sustained drive.

Brandon Jacobs looked strong throughout the game for 116 yards on 21 carries, bowling over a couple defenders in the process.

The defense basically picked up where it left off. Justin Tuck sacked QB Jason Campbell on the Redskins’ first play from scrimmage, quieting any critics who doubt he can be effective without Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. The defense allowed only 21 yards on the Redskins’ first three posessions.

The only hiccup for the defensive unit came on the kind of 2-minute drive we have become accustomed to seeing Eli pull off at the end of halves. After a 50 yard kickoff return by Rock Cartwright, the Redskins drove 45 yards in 1:47, culminating in a Santana Moss 12 yard touchdown reception.

The second half passed without much excitement and the game ended somewhat anti-climatically with the Redskins needing to score 9 points in 7 seconds. On that play, Mathias Kiwanuka seemed to injure his ankle, but walked off the field. Initial reports are that the injury is not serious.

Newly assigned defensive captain Fred Robbins also left the game with an undisclosed injury.

Despite the close score, this win has to be encouraging. There was bound to be some rust, but I’ll take a win any way I can get it, especially against a division rival that has a habit of being a thorn in our sides.

The Giants visit the St. Louis Rams next Sunday at 1:00 PM.