The scoreboard declared the Redskins 16-7 losers to the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. But reality, and every other statistic, suggested otherwise: New York had 21 first downs to Washington’s 11; the Giants had 354 total yards to the Redskins’ 209.

“We started off slow,” said corner Fred Smoot, “and it came back to haunt us.”

“They came out with more energy,” running back Clinton Portis said.

Yes, they did. The Giants scored on their first four possessions, starting with a touchdown on their first drive followed by three straight field goals. Washington, meanwhile, managed just seven yards of offense in the first quarter.

“It could have been real ugly quick,” Redskins defensive end Andre Carter said.

The Redskins scored just before halftime, a 12-yard Jason Campbell toss to Santana Moss to cut it to 16-7. But they couldn’t generate much thereafter.

“My first game was very frustrating,” Zorn said.

Among the problems:

OUTSIDE RUN DEFENSE » New York’s backs ran the ball 17 times in the first half – 13 went to the outside. Of those runs, 14 went for three yards or more and nine went for at least five yards.

“We controlled the line of scrimmage,” Giants left tackle David Diehl said.

The ends, Jason Taylor and Carter, kept getting controlled and the linebackers rarely fit in the right holes. Taylor played despite a sprained knee that left him questionable until game time.

In second half, split ends a bit wider and used their quickness to better control the outside. But the Giants still rushed for 154 yards. Brandon Jacobs finished with 116 yards on 21 carries.

“They’ve got a bruising running game and a strong offensive line,” Zorn said.

Those runs helped New York convert six of its seven third-down opportunities in the first half.

“We gave up plays we shouldn’t have,” defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. “They’re a good running team and they came out fired up and we didn’t stop the fire soon enough.”

DROPPED OPPORTUNITIES » The Redskins dropped four potential interceptions. Corner Carlos Rogers dropped two, one of which he could have returned for a touchdown.

“When you drop passes,” Carter said, “it hurts.”

THE PASSING GAME » Campbell completed 15 of 27 passes for 133 yards and a score. But there was no rhythm. Tight end Chris Cooley didn’t catch a pass until late in the game. The Redskins were three of 13 on third downs.

The pass protection broke down early, with Stephon Heyer getting beaten on the first play for a sack.

“We got good things going there, but you can’t run every down,” Zorn said. “You’ve got to be able to throw and protect.”

The problems that plagued them Thursday night were mostly what troubled them in the last two preseason games. They didn’t make big plays; they couldn’t protect the passer. Campbell misfired on numerous passes, often failing to hit guys in stride.

“We have too many weapons,” said Portis (23 carries, 84 yards), “to be held to three and outs. …We just didn’t make that play when we needed to make it.”

Alas, Zorn said, “We saw where we’re at offensively. We’ve learned where we need to improve.