In the Giants’ first change at quarterback in more than 13 years, the team’s offense, now led by Geno Smith, looked slightly more potent than it had in recent weeks. But in the end, it was yet another loss in an unraveling season as the Giants fell to the Oakland Raiders, 24-17.
Smith, who became the first quarterback not named Eli Manning to start for the Giants since Nov. 14, 2004, and the first black starting quarterback in franchise history, completed 21 of 34 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. But he was far from flawless, losing two fumbles — one of which squandered a tremendous scoring opportunity at the end of the first half that could have given the Giants a lead going into halftime.