Playing without Pro Bowl linemen Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, the defense limited the new-look Washington Redskins to 209 total yards and gave indications that these Giants are back for another run in a 16-7 victory that ushered in the NFL season on Thursday night.

Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress and the exact same offense that started against New England in February came up big in spoiling the debut of Redskins coach Jim Zorn and his West Coast offense.

Manning capped an opening, 84-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and recently signed John Carney kicked three field goals, as the Giants scored on their first four possessions.

The win was a rare one at home for the Giants, who were 3-5 at home last season, losing the last four.

Jason Campbell threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss with 13 seconds to play in the first half for the Redskins. The score was set up by a Giants' special teams lapse, a 50-yard kickoff return by Rock Cartwright.

Washington had only 11 first downs and got in New York territory only three times.

The lone concern for the Giants was that defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka went down with an ankle injury on the final play.

Kiwanuka was switched from linebacker to end when Umenyiora was lost for the season with a knee injury in the preseason.

The game started with fanfare as Strahan, who retired in June after a 15-year career that saw him earn seven Pro Bowl berths, showed off the Lombardi Trophy and got a standing ovation.

Manning (19-for-35, 216 yards), Burress (10 catches, 133 yards) and Brandon Jacobs (21 carries, 116 yards) carried the offense.

Manning completed passes of 30, 19 and 11 yards to Burress on the opening drive.

Burress signed a two-year extension hours before kickoff that will pay him an average of $7 million a year for the next five years. He more than earned his money on the 11-play opening drive, especially on the last catch.

He caught a third-down pass and was hit by Fred Smoot as the pass arrived, causing the ball to pop in the air. Burress reached out and hauled it in.

Campbell finished 15-for-27 for 133 yards, but he was ineffective on third down. Washington converted only three of 13 tries.