National Football League

Bills overcome pregame distractions to beat Giants 21-0

Published Aug. 20, 2016 9:59 p.m. ET

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Quarterback Tyrod Taylor and the ''Bad News'' Buffalo Bills overcame another series of preseason distractions to beat the New York Giants 21-0 on Saturday.

Taylor zipped a 13-yard touchdown pass over the middle to LeSean McCoy to cap his fourth and final series. Backup EJ Manuel then secured the win by leading two touchdown drives on an afternoon that began with Buffalo cutting backup running back Karlos Williams and announcing defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was entering a rehabilitation clinic.

The Bills gave up on Williams, who reported to training camp out of shape and was also suspended by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Dareus' decision to seek help came four days after Buffalo's top-paid player was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy for a second consecutive season.

Dareus was suspended for the first four games this season. General manager Doug Whaley didn't know when Dareus would check into a rehab facility or how long the process would take.

''I feel this is the best decision for me, my family and my teammates as I move forward with my career,'' Dareus said in a statement released by the team.

For New York, quarterback Eli Manning and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s preseason debut failed to provide the Giants any boost, a week following a 27-10 loss to Miami.

Manning completed 4 of 9 passes for 44 yards in four series, in which New York combined for 33 yards of offense and one first down. Beckham had one catch for 33 yards, and was targeted three times.

Turnovers continued to plague the Giants.

Backup quarterback Ryan Nassib lost a fumble when sacked by cornerback Sterling Moore. This came after Nassib threw two interceptions and lost one of three fumbles against Miami.

Nassib missed his first seven attempts before hitting rookie tight end Jerell Adams for an 8-yard completion to open his eighth series. Nassib finished 2 of 12 for 25 yards,

Backup running back Andre Williams lost a fumble and third-string quarterback Logan Thomas threw two interceptions.

Bills rookie running back Jonathan Williams scored on a 1-yard plunge and Manuel completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Greg Little in the second quarter.

ROOKIE WATCH

Giants: First-round pick, CB Eli Apple, did not play after hurting his knee against Miami. Second-round pick, WR Sterling Shepard, had Manning's pass over the middle go off his fingers.

Bills: Third-round pick, DT Adolphus Washington, recovered a fumble when Nassib was sacked by defensive back Sterling Moore late in the second quarter.

INJURIES

Giants: WR Dwayne Harris hurt his knee and did not return after twisting his leg while being pushed out of bounds returning a punt early in the third quarter. The Giants said tests were negative. S Mykkele Thompson sustained a concussion when lowering his head to tackle RB Jonathan Williams late in the second quarter.

Bills: Backup RB Mike Gillislee was being evaluated for a concussion after being hurt on a 6-yard run in the second quarter.

MISSED KICKS

Bills PK Jordan Gay's chances of supplanting veteran Dan Carpenter took a hit. Gay missed one of two extra-point attempts and missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt. He hit the right crossbar on both misses.

Giants PK Tom Obarski missed a 27-yard field-goal attempt wide left. Obarski is competing to fill in for Josh Brown, who will open the season serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

FLAG DAY

Giants newly signed veteran CB Leon Hall was penalized twice for defensive holding.

WORKING WOMEN

Bills special teams quality control coach Kathryn Smith, the NFL's first full-time female assistant coach, was on the sideline, and Sarah Thomas, the NFL's first full-time female official, was on the field as a line judge. This is the second time a female assistant and official were on the field at the same time. Last summer, Thomas officiated an Arizona preseason game during Jen Salter's six-week training camp internship coaching Cardinals linebackers.

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