With its back to the wall and down 10-0 in the biggest game of the season against the rival Cowboys, the Giants responded.
Midway through the second quarter, Ahmad Bradshaw lost a fumble on the Giants' side of the field. Seven plays later, Tony Romo hit Roy Williams in the end zone and the Giants season was left for dead.
The Giants resuscitated the season by moving down the field on three consecutive 16-yard gains before Eli Manning found Hakeem Nicks for a TD to give Big Blue some life.
Just a minute-and-a-half later the Giants would once again find the Promised Land after a big play by two key members of the much-maligned D-line. Mathias Kiwanuka forced a fumble that was recovered by the recently-demoted Osi Umenyiora.
The game would be won through big plays.
Brandon Jacobs, still not running the ball to expectations, had a 74-yard catch and run for his second TD of the evening.
The contest was put out of reach by a Domenik Hixon 79-yard punt return late in the fourth.
The D-line showed glimpses of why it was considered one of the NFL's best going into the season. Although Romo threw for nearly 400 yards, he was constantly harassed.
Cowboys' running backs Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice combined for 45 yard on 23 carries.
The Giants did not dominate the Cowboys, but did enough to come away with a much-needed W.
While Tom Coughlin's club did not exactly escape with the win, it did leave room for doubts going into another enormous game vs. the Eagles on Sunday night.
Big Blue must prove it can beat a quality opponent other than the Cowboys.
A loss to Philadelphia would eliminate any chance of taking the East Division -- the Eagles would be up two games and have the tie-breaker. Big Blue was embarrassed in Philadelphia on November 1.
On the other hand, a win at the Meadowlands evens things out in the overall and head-to-head record against Philly. Combined with Dallas' December struggles and the Cowboys rough upcoming schedule, Big Blue would quickly turn into the favorites to win the Division.
After the Eagles, the Giants face two inferior opponents -- at Washington then home for Carolina.
The final game of the season, in Minnesota, may not mean anything for the Vikings. The Giants may be playing for a spot in the playoffs. Such a circumstance would turn the odds in New York's favor.
An old maxim says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The Giants took that step on Sunday.
Against the Eagles it will be determined if that step has a true landing that can send the Giants scurrying towards the postseason.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The quote at the end is very original and it fits in perfectly. The opening realy gets your attention as well. I just read the recap of the giants game on yahoo and I honesty like yours better. The other one is all quotes from the players but yours is more interesting because you add some of your own thoughts. You hit all the big plays. I agree that the Giants need someone else besides the Cowboys to prove they are a good team since the Cowboys are a mediocre to above average team. We need to win sunday because it seems like the Packers are not going anywhere. Washington also might be a tough game since they are playing well right now. Good job keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete