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Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Dustin Hopkins made a 43-yard field goal to end a wild fourth quarter, leading the Washington Football Team to a win over the New York Giants to start Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season. Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke completed nearly 74% of his throws for 336 yards and two scores in the 30-29 win Thursday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin recorded 11 catches for 107 yards and a score.
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"We've put so much work in and feel like we have so much going for us as a team," Hopkins told reporters. "To win one like that and to start down the right path is big for everybody."
The Washington defense sacked Giants quarterback Daniel Jones four times and held their NFC East foes to 10 first downs.
Washington trailed 23-17 two minutes into the fourth quarter. Hopkins made a 37-yard field goal about five minutes later to cut the deficit to three points.
Graham Gano answered with a 55-yard kick on the next drive to push the Giants lead back to six. The Washington offense responded with a 17-second touchdown drive.
Heinicke connected with running back J.D. McKissic for a 56-yard gain on the first play of the drive. He then threw a 19-yard touchdown toss to tight end Ricky Seals-Jones, giving Washington a 27-26 edge with 4:33 remaining.
Washington forced a punt on the Giants next possession, but Heinicke threw an interception on the resulting drive. Gano made a 35-yard field goal four plays later for a 29-27 lead with two minutes remaining.
Heinicke orchestrated an 11-play, 50-yard drive on the final possession of the night.
Hopkins missed a 48-yard kick wide right on what appeared to be the final play of the game, but the Giants committed a defensive offside penalty. The infraction resulted in another Hopkins attempt.
The Washington kicker put that 43-yard try just inside the right goalpost.
Hopkins was 3 for 3 on field goal attempts. Gano made all five of his kicks. McKissic totaled 93 yards from scrimmage and a rushing score on nine touches for Washington.
Jones completed 22 of 32 passes for 249 yards and a score for the Giants. He also ran nine times for 95 yards and a score.
Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen totaled six tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks. Cornerback Kyle Fuller and defensive end Montez Sweat also sacked Jones.
"It's certainly disappointing and it hurts," Jones told reporters. "We've got to get past that and get to work and put our heads back down and focus on what we need to do to improve as a team and make sure that we're in a better position to win games.
"It is going to hurt and that is part of it, but eventually we'll need to move on and get going moving forward as a team."
Washington (1-1) battles the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 26 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Giants (0-2) host the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 26 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
