There was a new key to the Giants' first-down plays.

Step 1 of the Fassel formula is for the first-down play to gain at least 4 yards.

He broke his longest run of the day, a 12-yard gain, on a first-down play.

In the opening period, Syracuse gained 207 yards, 131 on 12 first-down plays.

Backed up on their 6-yard line, the first-down play had Hostetler throwing.

Here was Collins passing on 12 of 26 first-down plays.

On the first-down play, they were penalized 10 yards for holding on the line.

Before that run, the Giants had mustered 19 yards on nine first-down plays.

On 15 of 31 first-down plays, they gained 5 yards or more to Buffalo's 12 of 26.

If the Giants get a first down, they know the next first-down play, and so on.