Putting aside the distractions of numerous false-positive COVID tests, late schedule changes, and players going on and off the reserve list, the Giants rode an opportunistic defense, Graham Gano’s reliable leg, and just enough offense to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 23-16, in MetLife Stadium.

The Giants won for the second time in three weeks and improved to 3-6 entering their bye.

On Monday, they lost a winnable game in Kansas City, 20-17. Two days later, 13 positive tests from Tuesday forced practice to be pushed back. When the testing uncertainty continued Thursday, the players were sent home for Zoom meetings only to return for practice. Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney and Gary Brightwell were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Through all the news bulletins and updates, coach Joe Judge emphasized to his players and coaches they had to maintain their normal preparation and focus.

Putting aside the distractions of numerous false-positive COVID tests, late schedule changes, and players going on and off the reserve list, the Giants rode an opportunistic defense, Graham Gano’s reliable leg, and just enough offense to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 23-16, in MetLife Stadium.

The Giants won for the second time in three weeks and improved to 3-6 entering their bye.

On Monday, they lost a winnable game in Kansas City, 20-17. Two days later, 13 positive tests from Tuesday forced practice to be pushed back. When the testing uncertainty continued Thursday, the players were sent home for Zoom meetings only to return for practice. Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney and Gary Brightwell were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Through all the news bulletins and updates, coach Joe Judge emphasized to his players and coaches they had to maintain their normal preparation and focus.

After two years and two fights, the two top welterweights in the world finally found a way to make peace. For one night, anyway.

But what mattered most at the conclusion of UFC 268 from Madison Square Garden was that Kamaru Usman is now 2-0 against bitter rival Colby Covington after winning a unanimous decision, 48-47, 48-47, 49-46, that was closer than the scorecards would indicate.

“It’s a lot of trash talk. It’s a lot of bad blood here,” said Usman (20-1, 10 finishes) in the octagon after the decision was read, referring to the bitter war of words with Covington (16-3, eight finishes) dating back to 2019. “But he’s a tough son of a b—h”

Usman’s respect for the challenger, who the champ defeated via fifth-round TKO in December 2019 in a win that failed to bury the hatchet, came moments after he and Covington looked to offer mutual props to one another as they awaited the decision.

“When you share an octagon with someone this tough, you can’t help it that respect is gonna come,” Usman said.