The NFL couldnt have scripted a better ending to their first nationally televised Monday Night Football contest, even if it was just a preseason game. New York Giants rookie Tommie Hill returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown with 0:00 on the clock to break a deadlocked game and give his team a 24-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers in NFL preseason action at The Meadowlands.
Carolinas fourth string QB Hunter Cantwell was in a position where he just had to take a knee and run out the clock on first and 10 from his eighteen yardline. Instead, he tried to throw a pass only to have his arm hit forcing a fumble which Hill returned for the score.
Afterwards, Hill spoke about his game winning touchdown return:
"I've never seen a game end like that, not that way. I'm just a rookie trying to make the team. Anything like that that helps the team win in turn helps me. It was just a fortunate situation and I made the most of it."
Hill, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado State had already become a favorite of Giants fans due to his tenacious, high impact playmaking.
Carolina coach John Fox sounded bemused at his teams unusual loss:
"Kind of an interesting ending. Both sides have a lot of work, but we have time. We have three weeks to do it
Giants QB Eli Manning played only two series before the backups took over. Still, he put a positive spin on his short night of work:
"We ran the ball really well, hit a couple passes and we got a touchdown. That is always the goal. We did a nice job with it, so I thought we were effective as the first group."
Carolina will travel to Miami for a game next Saturday against the Dolphins. The Giants will head to Chicago to face Jay Cutler and the Bears.
Carolinas fourth string QB Hunter Cantwell was in a position where he just had to take a knee and run out the clock on first and 10 from his eighteen yardline. Instead, he tried to throw a pass only to have his arm hit forcing a fumble which Hill returned for the score.
Afterwards, Hill spoke about his game winning touchdown return:
"I've never seen a game end like that, not that way. I'm just a rookie trying to make the team. Anything like that that helps the team win in turn helps me. It was just a fortunate situation and I made the most of it."
Hill, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado State had already become a favorite of Giants fans due to his tenacious, high impact playmaking.
Carolina coach John Fox sounded bemused at his teams unusual loss:
"Kind of an interesting ending. Both sides have a lot of work, but we have time. We have three weeks to do it
Giants QB Eli Manning played only two series before the backups took over. Still, he put a positive spin on his short night of work:
"We ran the ball really well, hit a couple passes and we got a touchdown. That is always the goal. We did a nice job with it, so I thought we were effective as the first group."
Carolina will travel to Miami for a game next Saturday against the Dolphins. The Giants will head to Chicago to face Jay Cutler and the Bears.
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a consulting handicapper for Sports-1 and an authority on horse racing and NFL football betting. He's a published expert on sports handicapping theory, as well as financial investment strategy. He contributes to a number of websites providing insight on how to bet on NFL football, hockey and mixed martial arts.
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