This article is from: srnnews.com
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The New York Giants appeared to be the better team during their joint practice with the Miami Dolphins this week.
New York validated that performance in Saturday’s preseason game.
Jameis Winston threw for 150 yards and ran for a touchdown while playing the first half, and the Giants cruised to a 26-3 victory over the Dolphins.
“After we did well in the practice, we wanted to make sure we followed it up in the game,” Giants coach John Harbaugh said. “That was the goal and our guys did a good job with that.”
Devin Singletary ran for a touchdown and finished with 40 yards on eight carries. The Giants (1-1) got the rest of their points on two field goals each by Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls.
“Every single day we’re looking to be a better team,” Winston said. “Every practice. Every rep, we’re striving to be better.”
Both teams primarily used backups after their starters had extensive work during Thursday’s joint practice at the Dolphins’ training facility.
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart participated in pregame drills but didn’t play. Dolphins starter Malik Willis was in street clothes.
“Any time you get to play for that extended period of time, you get to develop a rhythm,” Winston said. “When you run the football, it caters to the entire offense.”
New York outgained Miami 390 yards to 102.
“A lot of the guys who were playing, I liked how hard they played,” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said. “The details just aren’t good right now. These are important moments. I want to see who can step up and who we can count on as we get toward the 53 (on the final roster).”
Two-time All Pro receiver Odell Beckham Jr., attempting to win a roster spot in his second stint with the Giants, caught two passes for 17 yards. Targeted four times, Beckham also had a pass from Winston go through his hands in the end zone in the second quarter.
“This is the one that keeps me up at night. It’s a play I know I can make,” Beckham said. “It just felt like I was hanging so long. You take it on the chin like a man. Confidence is still there.”
The Dolphins (0-2) started Cam Miller at quarterback after Quinn Ewers, who is second on the depth chart, sat out because of a groin injury he sustained in Miami’s preseason opener against Washington. Miller played the first half, completing 6 of 11 passes for 60 yards. He was sacked twice.
“I felt really good today,” Miller said. “After last week, I got my toes wet. And then to finally play an entire half, I felt a lot more comfortable this week than I did last week.”
Winston capped New York’s opening possession with an 11-yard run for a 7-0 lead. The 12-year veteran had a 29-yard completion to Darius Slayton, and Calvin Austin had a 21-yard rush during the eight-play, 83-yard drive.
Zvada kicked a 43-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
Singletary made it 17-0 with a 13-yard touchdown run midway through the second.
Miami got on the board when Riley Patterson kicked a 53-yard field goal with 1:12 remaining in the first half. Winston then directed a 54-yard drive that ended with Zvada’s 32-yard kick to give New York a 20-3 lead at the half.
Brandon Allen replaced Winston and went 13 of 18 for 101 yards. He led two drives that were capped by field goals from Sauls.
Winston turned a broken play into his touchdown. As his protection began to break down, the 32-year-old scrambled to his right and dashed to the end zone.
“Sometimes you have to show the young school cats that I can still be an athlete and get out of the pocket,” Winston said.
The Dolphins lost two fumbles. One of their seven punts went for 15 yards, resulting in a short field and New York’s first field goal.
Dolphins: Rookie LB Trey Moore was helped off the field with a lower left leg injury early in the first quarter. … RB Ollie Gordon was tended to by training staff late in the second quarter but walked off the field.
Giants: Will be the visitor at MetLife Stadium in their preseason finale against the New York Jets on Friday.
Dolphins: Host Atlanta on Friday.
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