by Ross Everett

The NFL couldnt have scripted a better ending to the first nationally televised Monday Night Football contest of the preseason. New York Giants rookie Tommie Hill returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown with 0:00 on the clock to break a deadlocked game and give his team a 24-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers in NFL preseason action at The Meadowlands.

Carolinas fourth string QB Hunter Cantwell fumbled the football after his arm was hit on a pass attempt as time expired. Hill grabbed the loose ball and headed to the endzone for the shockingly bizarre finish and a Giants victory.

Tommie Hill was in a state of shock as he spoke about his game winning touchdown return:

“I’ve never seen a game end like that, not that way. I’m just a rookie trying to make the team. Anything like that that helps the team win in turn helps me. It was just a fortunate situation and I made the most of it.”

Hill, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado State had already become a favorite of Giants fans due to his tenacious, high impact playmaking. His touchdown will no doubt bolster his efforts to make the NFL roster.

Carolina coach John Fox sounded more bemused than dejected at his teams last second loss:

“Kind of an interesting ending. Both sides have a lot of work, but we have time. We have three weeks to do it

Giants QB Eli Manning, who recently became the NFLs highest paid player, played only two series. Still, he put a positive spin on his short night of work:

“We ran the ball really well, hit a couple passes and we got a touchdown. That is always the goal. We did a nice job with it, so I thought we were effective as the first group.”

The Panthers will kick off the NFL regular season hosting the Philadelphia Eagles at home on Sunday, September 13th while the Giants will start their NFL campaign with a big divisional grudge match against the Washington Redskins.

About the Author:
Ross Everett is a consulting handicapper for Sports-1 and an authority on thoroughbred horse racing and NFL football betting. He’s a published expert on sports handicapping theory, as well as stock and investment strategy. He contributes to a number of websites providing insight on how to bet on NFL football, mixed martial arts and boxing.