A Giant Day For Wilson

Well it’s that time of year again; where the New York Giants have their backs against the wall, the division is close and every game is a must win.

Today is the start for that playoff push, with wins by Dallas (7-6) and by a red hot Washington (7-6), the lead was cut down to a game. After last week’s loss to the Redskins, the Giants had to come out and win.

Before the game a lot of the players were looking up to that scoreboard to see those wins and realized they
needed to step it up. Today’s game would be a familiar foe in the New Orleans Saints, who in recent years the Giants have not fared well against. But, most of those game were in the Superdome, now they would have to come to a cold, rainy night in New Jersey along with the swirling winds of MetLife Stadium.

Even though the Saints have a losing record they are no pushovers, especially with Drew Brees and a high powered offense that ranks the highest in the NFL; this would truly be a test for the Giants.

The game started off with the Giants down early due to an Eli Manning interception ran back for a touchdown. This lead however would not last, as the ensuing kickoff would have to go into the hands of the electrifying sparkplug out of Virginia Tech David Wilson.

Wilson would catch the ball up at the three yard line and from there saw his blockers, going up the middle then taking it up the sideline for a momentum swinging 97-yard touchdown. Wilson would not be done there, as he would go on and put up an astonishing 227 return yards, which put the Giants in great field position all day.

It wouldn’t end there, as Wilson also had 13 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson is getting more opportunities due to the loss of Andre Brown two weeks ago and he made the most of it. Wilson amassed 327 total yards setting a franchise record (previously held by Dominik Hixon with 303 yards)

Outside of Wilson’s outstanding performance, the Giants Eli Manning didn’t have his best game, having a shaky first half, but made the most of the opportunities given to him. The wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon with a little dose of tight end Martellus Bennett found holes in the Saints secondary, accounting for another four touchdowns for the Giants.

This game wasn’t just won by special teams and offense, but with the Giants defense stepping up and holding the Saints offense to only two total touchdowns and forcing four turnovers.

Those four turnovers go to my spotlight players of the game (at least Defensively), the safety tandem of Antrel Rolle and Stevie Brown.

Both Brown and Rolle forced two big fumbles early in the game. They would also be a big reason why the Saints didn’t have too many big plays, by keeping their zones in check and when they were tested they stepped up; especially Brown who’d pick off Brees twice (one off a tipped pass by Rolle). Stevie Brown continues to be the guy on that defense who always makes plays when they need it and he made three big ones today. It’s not every day your able to hold the NFL’s best offense to two touchdowns and those guys were the reason.

All in all, the Giants came out and did what they were supposed to do and that was win. But, the Giants do not have room to breathe; they still have the Cowboys and Redskins creeping up on them.

Next week they travel to the Georgia Dome to take on the top ranked team in the NFC; the Atlanta Falcons. This will be a rematch of last year’s wildcard game; a game Atlanta has had marked on their calendar, so the Giants better be ready, as every game is a must win with the playoffs on the line.

Giants Team Grades: Week 13 vs. Washington Redskins

Monday, December 3^rd, 2012

Final Score: New York Giants: 16 Washington Redskins: 17

Giants Team Grades

Monday night featured a hard fought game between two bitter rivals that don’t like each other in the Giants and Redskins.  The Redskins were able to pull off the victory, ending a number of losing streaks on Monday Night Football.  The grades for the Giants will reflect just how poorly they played.

Passing Offense Grade: C+

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Eli+Manning+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+Redskins+0y71RMYWVRel.jpg

Eli Manning put up good stats in the game, throwing for 280 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, but he was unable to get the job done when it counted.  Manning completed only six passes in the second half, only one of them being in the fourth quarter.

Manning was able to distribute the ball well to Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Martellus Bennett.  Each had five catches; with Bennett have the biggest impact going for 82 yards and a touchdown. 

Manning connected with Bennett on a third-and-ten on the last offensive drive of the fourth quarter, but it was nullified by a penalty, ending the Giants drive. 

Rushing Offense Grade: B+

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ahmad+Bradshaw+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+2iWPJI4kEdFl.jpg

Ahmad Bradshaw had a strong game as the feature back with Andre Brown being out for the remainder of the season.  Bradshaw went over 100 yards for the third time this season, rushing for 103 yards on 24 carries.  Bradshaw was a workhorse for the Giants, as the Giants totaled 29 rushes as a team.

The success of the running game in the first half was one reason the Giants dominated the time of possession in the early going, as Bradshaw tallied up 77 yards by halftime.  Going eight of 10 in the first half on third downs also doesn’t hurt.

David Wilson received only four carries in the game as well, going for only nine yards after saying all week that his time to contribute had finally arrived.

Passing Defense Grade: B-

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Prince+Amukamara+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+Qa9xaUmWoBvl.jpg

The Giants pass defense looked good if you only look at a box score, as Robert Griffin III had only 163 yards passing; it was the timeliness of the passing that killed the Giants.  Pierre Garcon was on the receiving end of every debilitating throw.

Garcon caught the eight-yard touchdown pass that put the Redskins ahead for good early in the fourth quarter and also caught the 17-yard pass on second-and-eight with just over two minutes remaining to ice the game.

In total, Garcon torched the Giants secondary with eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Rushing Defense Grade: F

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alfred+Morris+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+wqzmCWeLrigl.jpg

The Giants run defense was abysmal and couldn’t slow the Redskins down all night.  The Redskins totaled 207 yards on 31 rushes as a team.

Alfred Morris tore through the Giants once again, going over 120 yards for the second time in as many chances against the Giants this season.  Monday night, he went for 124 yards on 22 carries. He did fumble once, ending a scoring opportunity for the Redskins or else the score would have been much more in their favor.

Griffin didn’t have many rushing attempts, but he made them count going for 72 yards on five attempts.

When the Giants needed stops the most they were unable to get them either, as they allowed the Redskins to convert two first downs on the ground on the last drive of the game to ice it.

Special Teams Grade: C-

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Lawrence+Tynes+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+gANSBkWm-_hl.jpg

Lawrence Tynes was asked to put in a full night of work again, going three of four on his field goal attempts.  Every field goal attempt was shaky for the Giants Monday night, with one of them going wide left.

They did not allow the Redskins dynamic return man Brandon Banks to hurt them, as he managed only 21 yards on three punt returns; instead the Giants inflicted all their damage on special teams upon themselves.

Wilson made a big return to set the Giants up late in the fourth quarter, but it was called back after a penalty on Jim Cordle; the drive started inside the 10 yard line and the Giants went three and out.

Coaching Grade: C+

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Tom+Coughlin+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+NS8CZo-Qcmql.jpg

The Giants executed their game plan well in the first half, as they had three long time consuming drives to keep the dynamic Redskins offense led by Griffin off the field.  But the Giants shot themselves in the foot one too many times to pull out the victory.

Self-inflicted wounds like penalties are always a killer and the Giants had too many untimely ones Monday night.  The execution led to field goal attempts instead of touchdowns, which ultimately led to their demise. 

Giants Squander 4th Quarter Lead, Lose to Redskins

Monday, December 3^rd, 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: New York Giants: 16 Washington Redskins: 17

Giants Squander 4^th Quarter Lead, Fall to Redskins

The Giants let a great chance to take a stranglehold on the NFC East slip through their fingers with a tough loss at Washington Monday night.  Robert Griffin III could not be defeated for a second time this season and the Giants lead in the division shrunk to one game, leaving it back up for grabs.

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Robert+Griffin+III+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+Qa9xaUmWoBvl.jpg

The first half the Giants did a great job of keeping the ball away from Griffin and the Redskins offense, going on three long drives and going into the half with a 13-10 lead.  The second half the offense was unable to get going and Griffin took advantage.

In the first half alone, the Giants had the ball for over 20 minutes with three time consuming drives.  One driving force in the dominant time of possession was the Giants ability to convert on third down, as they went eight for 10 in the first half. 

The running game was also on point for the Giants early on, as Ahmad Bradshaw had 77 yards rushing in the first half alone.  Martellus Bennett ran rampant in the secondary as well, catching five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in the first half. 

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Martellus+Bennett+New+York+Giants+v+Washington+dsmFA0cDC0Il.jpg

The breaks were not going the Giants way though, as the first half lead could have turned even more into the Giants favor if not for a lucky bounce on Griffin fumble.  Griffin scrambled a little past the half-way point of the first quarter and was stripped going down to the ground by Stevie Brown; a fortunate bounce had the ball end up in wide receiver Josh Morgan’s hands and he finished the play off in the end zone.

Other tough breaks for the Giants were of the self-inflicted variety as they committed nine penalties for 73 yards in the game.  Many of the penalties were drive killers, causing the Giants to settle for field goals or not even get a scoring opportunity.

In the first half, Sean Locklear was called for a questionable holding call that pushed the Giants back 10 yards, forcing them to eventually settle for a field goal.  A false start call on Hakeem Nicks also stalled another drive, as the Giants had to settle for yet another field goal.

The most crippling penalties came in the fourth quarter when the Giants were attempting to mount a comeback.  David Wilson returned a kick to around midfield, but it was called back by a Jim Cordle holding penalty, pitting the Giants on their eight-yard line and going three and out.

The other was a holding call on Will Beatty that nullified a third-and-ten conversion from Eli Manning to Bennett.  Instead of a first and ten, the Giants were faced with a third-and-twenty and that was the last time the offense was on the field for the night.

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/

Manning had two opportunities to lead the Giants on a comeback drive after being down 17-16 early in the fourth quarter but was unable to get going.  Penalties hindered both drives and left the Giants in tough spots. 

On a positive note for the Giants, Kenny Phillips was able to suit up and play but did not start.  He came out of the game without any more damage being done, so look for his workload to increase next week, as the pass happy New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees will pay a visit to MetLife Stadium to take on the Giants.  

Giants Team Grades: Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers

Sunday, November 25, 2012

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

Giants Team Grades

The Giants headed into the bye week looking like a shell of themselves, losing two straight games and faced one of the hottest teams in the NFL in the Green Bay Packers coming out of it.  The result was expected, but the teams were in reversed roles.  The Giants looked like the defending Super Bowl Champions that they are and they hammered the Packers 38-10, ending their five game winning streak.

Passing Offense Grade: A

There might not have been another player on the Giants that needed the bye week more than Eli Manning.  Manning, who had not thrown a touchdown since October 28^th against the Washington Redskins, looked refreshed and on point against the Packers, completing every type of pass in the game and looked to have the regular zip Giants fans have become accustomed to seeing from him. 

Manning finished the game with 249 yards and three touchdowns on 16 of 30 passing.  He was only sacked once even though the Giants lost starting tackle David Diehl to a burner in the first half.

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Hakeem+Nicks+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+MCa7h5vblI2l.jpg

Hakeem Nicks scored his first touchdown since week two against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hauling in five balls for 77 yards and the touchdown.  Nicks will be an integral part to the Giants offense down the stretch and the closer he gets to 100 percent healthy the better it will be for the team.

Rushing Offense Grade: A

The Giants rushing attack was dominant against the Packers no matter what defensive package they used against them.  As a team, the Giants ran for 147 yards on 31 carries, good for 4.7 yards per carry.

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ahmad+Bradshaw+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+Fm4wBPAgKcvl.jpg

Ahmad Bradshaw looked spry as well coming off the bye, as there had been concerns he had hurt his neck again.  Bradshaw finished the game with 58 yards rushing on 10 attempts scoring a touchdown.  He also added an impressive 59 yard reception on a screen pass to setup an Andre Brown touchdown.

Brown had a solid game as well, leading the Giants with 64 rushing yards on 13 carries.  Sadly, Brown will most likely be lost for the season after breaking his fibula.  He will be placed on the IR-Designated to Return List with hopes that he can return if the Giants make a deep playoff run.

Pass Defense Grade: A

The game got off to a rough start for the pass defense, as Corey Webster surrendered a 61-yard bomb on the Packers first drive of the game; that was all Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing game would be allowed for the game. 

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Aaron+Rodgers+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+L1jxa1Shk9Jl.jpg

Webster bounced back with an interception of Rodgers on the next Packers drive to get some redemption.  The Giants never allowed Rodgers to get into a rhythm, sacking him five times and hitting him seven, seemingly knowing what the Packers were running and being in the backfield all game. 

Kenny Phillips returned from injury and the Giants brought back their three safety look for parts of the game and it worked to perfection.  It is unknown if the Giants will be able to do that next week against Washington though, as Phillips re-aggravated his MCL injury.  Phillips said he could have returned to the game, but with the Giants handling their business they aired on the side of caution.

Rush Defense Grade: B+

The Giants rush defense wasn’t exactly suffocating, giving up 116 yards on 26 carries but they were able to limit the big plays from the rushing game; the Packers longest run of the night was a 12-yard scamper by Randall Cobb.  The running game seemed to be implemented so heavily by the Packers to keep Rodgers from getting hit so often.

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Kenny+Phillips+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+raVCuJETrlHl.jpg

Rodgers is capable of killing opposing defenses with his mobility and it showed as Rodgers ran all over the field.  Thankfully for the Giants, most of the time it was trying to avoid the pass rush in the backfield and not for rushing yards, as Rodgers was held to 22 yards rushing.

Special Teams Grade: A

The Giants came into the game focusing on Cobb in all aspects of the game, as he is a multi-dimensional player for the Packers lining up at running back, wide receiver and wildcat quarterback on offense and being the return man for kickoffs and punts.

The preparation to slow Cobb worked, as he totaled only 20 yards on two punt returns and a modest average of 26 yards per return on six kickoffs. 

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Rueben+Randle+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+Sq2eF8cSHlel.jpg

Lawrence Tynes continued his career season knocking a 43-yard field goal through the uprights, with the only negative for the Giants being a muffed punt by Rueben Randle, who made up for it catching both balls thrown at him by Manning, one going for his first career touchdown.

Coaching Grade: A+

The Giants used the bye week to their advantage and executed everything flawlessly on the field Sunday night against a hot Packers team.  They looked for ways to spark their own team and dominated the Packers with unique personnel packages in all aspects of the game.

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/

It was a great start to a tough stretch to end the season, as the Giants got a little extra motivation from 15-year old Adam Merchant, who was given the opportunity to meet the Giants through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and delivered a spirited and heartfelt speech to the Giants at the end of practice Friday telling them to play like the defending world champions that they are.

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.  

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Eli+Manning+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+Giants+py59UVDCEiNl.jpg

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.

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Rueben+Randle+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+1VyfoUV6k2wl.jpg

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. 

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Corey+Webster+Green+Bay+Packers+v+New+York+9-wVZdSUmkxl.jpg

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.