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Canton, Ohio • With running back David Wilson out indefinitely, rookie Andre Williams showed glimpses he can provide the New York Giants' ground game some fresh legs.

The fourth-round draft pick and Heisman Trophy finalist out of Boston College had seven carries for 48 yards and scored on a 3-yard run in a 17-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night in the preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game.

Rookie receiver Corey Washington scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 73-yard pass up the right sideline from backup Ryan Nassib with 13:18 remaining. Washington reached back to catch the partly under-thrown pass, then stepped around flat-footed defender Kamaal McIlwain.

Williams' performance was encouraging for the Giants after Wilson sustained his second neck injury in less than a year during training camp.

Getting additional playing time as the No. 2 back behind newly acquired starter Rashad Jennings, Williams provided a 1-2 punch to the Giants' new-look running game that was slowed by injuries last season. And the two took the pressure off quarterback Eli Manning.

Though Manning lost a fumble while being sacked on the second series, Williams helped bail out the offense on the third possession. He had five carries for 37 yards, which he capped with a strong run up the middle to put the Giants ahead 7-3 in the final minute of the first quarter.

Williams led the nation with 2,177 yards rushing last season, the fifth-highest total in NCAA history.

On Sunday, he showed great burst on a 21-yard gain off a sweep to the left to set up his score.

Manning finished 6 of 7 for 43 yards passing through three series, in unveiling a quick-tempo offense under new coordinator Ben McAdoo.

"We didn't get off to a great start," Manning said, referring to his fumble. "The first game back, you're going to work out some of the kinks. ... I thought there were some improvements. It was a good start."

For Buffalo, starting quarterback EJ Manuel had several lapses during two series. He completed just 2 of 7 attempts for 19 yards, and nearly had a pass intercepted by linebacker Jacquian Williams inside the New York 10. Manuel never looked off intended target Sammy Watkins and was fortunate to have Williams bat the ball down.

Watkins, the Bills' first-round pick, was held without a catch after being targeted three times. Two passes from Manuel directed Watkins' way were tipped. Manuel also was late in finding Watkins flying up the left sideline, and overthrew him by a few yards.

It was a disappointing debut for Watkins, who had made numerous highlight-reel catches during the first two weeks of training camp.

Though Manuel said "he felt good," running back Fred Jackson said there's plenty the Bills need to correct.

"We were OK. Not where we want to be," Jackson said.

Bills backup Jeff Tuel hit Robert Woods for a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal to put Buffalo ahead 10-7 early in the second quarter. —

N.Y. Giants 17, Buffalo 13

N.Y. Giants 7 3 0 7 — 17

Buffalo 3 7 3 0 — 13

First Quarter

Buf • FG Carpenter 30, 7:53.

NYG • A.Williams 3 run (J.Brown kick), :49.

Second Quarter

Buf • Woods 2 pass from Tuel (Carpenter kick), 9:00.

NYG • FG McManus 47, 4:58.

Third Quarter

Buf • FG Carpenter 51, 4:08.

Fourth Quarter

NYG • Washington 73 pass from Nassib (J.Brown kick), 13:18.

Attendance • 22,052.

NYG Buf

First downs 19 19

Total Net Yards 308 246

Rushes-yards 38-121 21-94

Passing 187 152

Punt Returns 3-33 1-14

Kickoff Returns 0-0 0-0

Interceptions Ret. 2-0 0-0

Comp-Att-Int 16-22-0 24-40-2

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-21 3-28

Punts 5-36.8 4-48.0

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 3-0

Penalties-yards 6-49 2-20

Time of Possession 33:37 26:23

Individual Statistics

Rushing • N.Y. Giants, A.Williams 7-48, Hillis 7-36, Jennings 7-23, Conner 1-7, Gaskins 5-5, Cox 9-3, Nassib 1-0, Painter 1-(minus 1). Buffalo, B.Brown 7-40, A.Dixon 4-15, Wingo 3-15, Tuel 1-13, Jackson 2-6, Rodriguez 2-3, Spiller 1-2, Lewis 1-0.

Passing • N.Y. Giants, Nassib 7-12-0-139, E.Manning 6-7-0-43, Painter 3-3-0-26. Buffalo, Lewis 10-16-1-87, Tuel 12-17-1-74, Manuel 2-7-0-19.

Receiving • N.Y. Giants, Harris 4-49, Jennings 3-20, Jernigan 2-13, Washington 1-73, Manningham 1-17, Donnell 1-13, Fells 1-10, Harvey 1-9, Cox 1-8, Hillis 1-(minus 4). Buffalo, Woods 4-49, Gragg 4-24, A.Dixon 4-16, Hogan 3-12, T.Graham 2-23, B.Brown 2-12, Mi.Williams 1-11, Elliott 1-10, Gurley 1-8, L.Smith 1-8, Wingo 1-7.

Missed Field Goals • None.