Giants Trounce Packers Off Bye Week

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: Green Bay Packers: 10 New York Giants: 38

Giants Trounce Packers off Bye Week

The bye week is something all NFL teams look forward to on their schedules as it gives players a week to just get away from the game and be with their families.  The wonders that bye weeks bring was evident Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, as two teams heading in opposite directions did full 180’s.  The Giants, who entered on a two game losing streak, dismantled the Packers who were riding a five game winning streak.

The Giants received a huge boost earlier in the week from a young boy, Adam Merchant, who is battling Burkitt’s Lyphoma.  He was given the opportunity to give the team a pep talk at the end of practice Friday and he let it all out, telling the Giants they need to play like the world champions they are.  It hit home with the players and they definitely played like the defending Super Bowl Champions Sunday night. 

Eli Manning was able to get back on track, throwing his first touchdown pass since October 24^th against the Washington Redskins, setting the tone and making a statement early.  Manning and the offense was clicking against the Packers defense, looking like a totally different unit than the one that limped into the bye week,

Manning finished the game with 249 yards, completing 16 of 30 passes and tossing three touchdowns.  

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Manning also had a game changing run in the first quarter, deciding against sliding instead laying into a Packers defender and gaining some extra yardage; it was the type of effort you have become expected to see from the Giants when they are on top of their game.

With Manning finding his groove, the Giants receiving core was able to put up some stats.  Hakeem Nicks is finally starting to round into form after battling injuries all season, catching five balls for 77 yards and his first touchdown since week two against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Rueben Randle only had two targets, but he made the most of them.  He caught both of them for 26 yards, including his first career touchdown on a 16 yard reception.  Victor Cruz caught the other touchdown thrown by Manning, finishing the game with three receptions for 36 yards.

The rushing game was on point for the Giants also, as they totaled 147 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.  Andre Brown and Ahmad Bradshaw led the way for the Giants, combining for 122 yards and the two touchdowns on 23 carries. 

The Giants defense was the stars of the night, slowing down a potent Packers offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.  The Giants got to Rodgers constantly, sacking him five times and hitting him seven total times. 

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The defensive backfield was outstanding for the Giants as well after a rough start.  After Corey Webster allowed a 61 yard touchdown on the opening drive, he bounced back intercepting Rodgers on the next Packers drive.  As a whole, the Giants had four passes deflected and held Rodgers to only 219 yards passing on 14 of 25 passing. 

While the victory was great for the Giants, there are some negatives that came about.  The injury bug came knocking again, as Brown was lost to a broken fibula and will most likely miss the season.  Head coach Tom Coughlin says there is an outside chance he can return if the Giants make a deep enough run into the post season, so Brown will be placed on the IR – Designated to Return list. 

This is a tough blow for Brown, who just has not been able to stay healthy since coming into the NFL but was having a breakout season for the Giants. 

In addition to Brown, the Giants lost Kenny Phillips as he re-aggravated his MCL injury he had missed the last six games with.  Phillips said the injury wasn’t bad and that he could have went back into the game if it had not been a blowout. 

Offensive lineman David Diehl also was lost with another injury, as he suffered a burner in the first half and was only able to return to watch from the sidelines in the second half.

Next up for the Giants is Monday Night Football showdown with Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.  A win against the Redskins would go a long way for the Giants, as a brutal stretch to end the season awaits them and getting divisional wins is crucial to winning the division.