Giants S Landon Collins dooms Rams with two INTs in London clash

LONDON — Safety Landon Collins haunted the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, pulling in a pair of crucial interceptions (including a spectacular pick six) to give the New York Giants a 17-10 victory at Twickenham Stadium.

In a game filled with stagnant offense, Collins was the difference maker. Midway through the first half, he snatched a Case Keenum pass that bounced off receiver Tavon Austin and took it to the house, via a long and thrilling dance through several would-be Rams tacklers.

“Huge play to switch momentum,” Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. “The offense was not getting a lot (done).”

In the fourth quarter, with the teams locked at 10-10 — neither Keenum nor Manning were able to gain any traction — Collins struck again. Another Keenum pass popped into the air, and Collins pounced at midfield. Given a short field to work with, Manning marched the Giants down the field before Rashad Jennings crossed for the go-ahead touchdown.

That gave New York (4-3) a lead it would never relinquish, while the positive start made by the Rams is now a distant memory after three consecutive defeats.

Things had begun relatively well for L.A. at the home of world rugby, the first time the NFL had ventured to this picturesque venue in west London following several excursions to Wembley Stadum.

Tight end Larry Donnell coughed the ball up on the Giants’ opening possession, and Keenum hit Austin for a 10-yard touchdown soon after. A Greg Zuerlein field goal added to L.A.’s advantage before new Giants kicker Robbie Gould responded in kind.

Then the Collins show began, and it tilted the afternoon in favor of New York, providing a welcome victory at the end of a week marred by controversy of the team’s handling of the Josh Brown domestic violence saga.

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Star New York wideout Odell Beckham played the full game despite being restricted by a hip injury that put his participation in doubt. He managed just 49 yards but earned  praise from his colleagues.

“I know how tough that kid is,” fellow Giants receiver Victor Cruz said.

Keenum had two chances to move the Rams down the field in the closing minutes but threw two more interceptions, both to cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The final blow was especially demoralizing for Keenum and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, coming as a result of a mix-up between the quarterback and intended receiver Brian Quick, a pass Rodgers-Cromartie caught unchallenged in the end zone.

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Both teams now head into their bye week, but the Giants will fly home celebrating a welcome boost while L.A. has much to ponder.

“I can’t put it into words,” Keenum said. “Losing stinks. Doing it for three weeks in a row is not fun at all.”

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