EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – With the Manning Bowl in the loss column and tough road games against Philadelphia and Seattle on the horizon, Tom Coughlin wants the New York Giants to forget about the lofty expectations they had entering the season, and just win.

While losing the season opener 26-21 to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts is not a disgrace, Coughlin had a lot of concerns on Monday.

Eli Manning had two turnovers that led to 10 points for the Colts. The offense was called for nine of New York’s 10 penalties, including five illegal procedure flags and two illegal blocks that nullified big runs.

The revamped defense dropped three potential interceptions on Indianapolis scoring drives. It also came up woefully short on third down, allowing Peyton and company to convert 11-of-16, or 69 percent.

The special teams also came up short for the defending NFC East champions. Jay Feely missed a 40-yard field goal and the Colts’ kickoff returners outgained the Giants’ by an average of almost 10 yards.

Despite the shortcomings, the Giants only trailed by two points late in the fourth quarter with possession of the ball.

“They know they can play better,” Coughlin said in reviewing the game on Monday. “They know they can do better. They know that the game could have been won at any point. The statement I made to them was this:

“I really think we have to stop talking about being good and get good and play good,” Coughlin said. “All of these expectations and all of this talk, it’s all nice and it’s wonderful to hear. But it doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t win. You have to win.”

Losing to the Colts clearly puts pressure on the Giants. They play at Philadelphia this weekend and then at Seattle against the defending NFC champions. Winning at either place will be difficult.

The Eagles won at Houston on Sunday, while Seattle won at Detroit.

“We know what we are going into,” said receiver Plaxico Burress, who had four catches for 80 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown on Sunday night. “We know Philly. Philly knows us. They’re going to be upbeat. It seems that this week is a must win. We beat them twice last year so definitely they’ve got us circled.”

Running back Tiki Barber admittedly is concerned about a potential 0-2 start.

“There’s been teams that started poorly and finished strong,” said Barber, who rushed for 110 yards on 18 carries on Sunday night. “We just have to work to get better and win them as they come.”

Eli Manning, who hit 20-of-34 for 247 yards, was disappointed on Monday with the loss, not losing to his brother in the NFL’s first game between siblings starting at quarterback.

“We had opportunities to put more points on the board and we felt that we let one slip away,” Manning said.

The Giants won’t be able to win if the penalties continue. It was a problem last year, when New York had 143, the second worst in the league.

There were some questionable calls by the officials, especially the offensive pass interference call against Tim Carter late in the fourth quarter. A crackback block called on Burress in the second quarter was iffy.

Guard David Diehl said there were no excuses for the false starts, but he said that Colts defensive tackle Montae Raegor was calling “hut” to make the offensive lineman move.

If the umpire had heard it, Raegor could have been called for unsportsmanlike conduct, a 15-yard penalty.

“They did it on third and 1 when I jumped,” Diehl said. “What are you going to do? We have to make sure we focus on Eli’s voice, not any voice. It’s not done a lot but it’s usually called when it’s done.”

Center Shaun O’Hara said Raegor also made a “hut” call on an illegal snap with 17 seconds left in the game. It also wasn’t called and the officials took 10 seconds off the clock.

Coughlin said that since the umpire (Butch Hannah) didn’t hear Raegor, the Giants have to take responsibility for moving early.

Linebacker Antonio Pierce gave Peyton Manning credit for converting on third down, but he said that the defense has to play a little better.

“We have a lot of guys who are playmakers,” Pierce said. “But when you have that, sometimes everyone wants to make a play and not be responsible. I think that’s what we have to work on. Everyone has to do their job and make the plays they need to make.”

NOTES: Starting left guard Chris Snee sustained a badly sprained ankle on Sunday and his status for the Philadelphia game is uncertain. Rich Seubert, who played well in relief, would start if Snee can’t play. …Pro Bowl TE Jeremy Shockey has a sore ankle.

AP-ES-09-11-06 1926EDT