The Giants are 2-0 for the First Time in Forever
The New York Football Giants snuck out a 16-13 win over the Saints on Sunday and Giants fans are excited about our team for the first time in a while. It wasn't the prettiest performance and came down to a last second, albeit chip shot, field goal, but it looks like the Giants' end of game collapses may be a thing of the past.
Eli, despite not throwing a touchdown, threw for 368 yards and ZERO interceptions against a much improved Saints defense. Rookie wide receiver Sterling Shepard lived up to his lofty preseason expectations on Sunday, finishing with 117 yards on 8 receptions. Odell caught 8 balls for 86 yards, and Cruz continues to improve since coming back from the IR as he finished with 4 receptions for 91 yards, including his clutch 34-yard 3rd down reception to set up Josh Brown's game winning field goal from the 2 yard line.
While the receivers continued to showcase themselves as one of the top units in the league, the ground game took a step backwards. Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen combined for just 69 yards on 27 carries as the offensive line couldn't muster up the same push that they did last week in Dallas.
Many were expecting a repeat of last year's 52-49 shootout between the two teams, but instead witnessed a defensive battle. The Giants' big money off-season acquisitions proved they were worth the money as New York's defense held Drew Brees, fresh off a 400 yard performance week 1, to 263 yards and 1 touchdown and the Saints to just 41 yards rushing. Janoris Jenkins led the way with 8 tackles and 2 passes defended in addition to a 65-yard scoop and score touchdown following Jonathan Hankins' blocked field goal. The Giants were also able to get good pressure on Brees as Olivier Vernon looked disruptive up front. The defense was most effective pressuring Brees when they brought brought blitzers from the secondary, as Leon Hall and Landon Collins each recorded a sack on key third downs. The Giants new look defense has passed their first big test, and has proved they're much improved from last year.
All in all, it was a decent team performance by the Giants on Sunday, but one that could have been much cleaner. The Giants really should have won this game more handily, but really hurt themselves with fumbles and a poor decision to go for it on 4th and goal in the first quarter. Any time you have the ball within the 5 yard line you expect your team to come away with points. While I respect McAdoo's balls to go for it on 4th, it was the wrong play call to throw it for the third time in a row. That 4th down stand gave the Saints momentum and confidence and kept the game closer than it should have been. The 3 fumbles were also painful, especially Cruz's fumble after his 40-yard reception, and another reason why New Orleans was able to keep the game manageable.
2-0 is 2-0, however, and there is something to be said for coming away with a win in a game that you didn't score an offensive touchdown. I'm sure McAdoo is already working on improving red zone efficiency and I expect Eli and G-Men to put up big numbers against the struggling Redskins this weekend.
