Giants lead undefeated Bears 3-0 behind defense after first half but could have had more

Giants lead undefeated Bears 3-0 at halftime

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants sacked Bears quarterback Jay Cutler nine times in the first half but managed only a field goal off four trips into Chicago territory to lead the NFC’s only undefeated team 3-0.

The Giants had an interception and forced a fumble by Cutler, who had cut down on the turnovers under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz but couldn’t escape the fierce New York pass rush Sunday night.

Yet the Bears trailed only 3-0 despite gaining just 22 yards in the half.

Lawrence Tynes missed a 38-yard field goal attempt and the New York offense managed only four first downs.

The Giants had a first down at the Bears 12 late in the first quarter after a 23-yard catch by Hakeem Nicks. But New York gained nothing on its next two plays, then Eli Manning threw to Steve Smith short of the first-down marker. The Giants had to settle for Tynes’ 22-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead with 3:29 left in the quarter.

New York got the ball right back in Bears territory when Terrell Thomas jumped in front of tight end Greg Olsen. Cutler threw the ball right to him for just his third interception of the season after throwing a league-high 26 last season.

But after taking over at the Chicago 28, the Giants couldn’t get a first down, and they came away with no points when Tynes missed.

A sack and forced fumble by Osi Umenyiora gave New York the ball at the Bears 29 midway through the second quarter. The Giants immediately started to go backward, with a 2-yard loss by Ahmad Bradshaw and a false start pushing them out of field-goal range.

More special teams woes made the drive look even worse, as rookie punter Matt Dodge booted the ball into the end zone for a touchback.

Dodge was already having a rough night. His first punt went from near calamity to near good fortune to a routine outcome — and Devin Hester had nothing to do with it.

Dodge dropped the ball setting up for the punt. He was able to chase it down, which actually left him in position to scamper for the first down. Instead, he punted on the run. It officially went as a 42-yard punt with no return.

Dodge later shanked a 37-yard punt.

Three members of the Mara family, three coaches who led the Giants to championships and 11 Hall of Famers were among the 30 men inducted into the team’s new ring of honor at halftime.

Former running back Tiki Barber was booed after he said during the week that coach Tom Coughlin was facing a crisis. The Giants were coming off two straight uninspired losses and committed five personal fouls and three turnovers in last week’s defeat to the Titans.