photo via SBNation.com
I pretty much gave up on the Giants after they lost in overtime to the Jets last week, but then the Cassel-led Cowboys beat the Redskins in Landover and Tom Coughlin is literally doing jumping jacks in a press conference. Most Giants fans had to be disappointed with the outcomes of the other divisional games on Sunday. I really thought the Bears and Bills would step up and pick up Ws against Washington and Philly, but Chicago comes up short and Buffalo could not stop getting penalized. In my mind, all signs pointed to the Giants having a letdown game. You know the kind, Giants are favored to win across the board and then come in and lay an egg, like they did against Jacksonville last year. Then, New York’s two best players – Eli Manning and Odell Beckham, Jr. – put on a performance for the ages.
Eli was 27 of 31 for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns, but most importantly 0 interceptions. The only blemish he had on his resume is the 1 lost fumble. From a statistical standpoint, it was arguably the best game he’s ever played. I don’t know how you can argue with 87% completion on 31 attempts, only 4 incompletions, 4 scores, 1 turnover. He made all the right calls and all the right decisions. It was the first game I’ve ever watched where I didn’t yell, “What the hell is he doing?!?”
Of course, I’m still flummoxed by that third down call coming out of the 2 minute warning in the 4th. Odell drops that ball and there’s plenty of time for Tannehill to drive the Fins to a game-tying score and then everyone gets to orgasm over how many wins the Giants have blown in the last minute. On Twitter, I commented that it took huge cajones for McAdoo to call a pass there and someone replied that it was a a no-brainer because we’d gotten that all game. Uh, did you see how close that ball was to hitting the ground? If there’s anything we’ve learned this season, it’s that there’s never a sure thing when the Giants are up with a lead in the final session in regulation.
But, where would Eli be without Odell? Holy Odell. 7 catches for 166 yards and 2 scores. He’s just so fast and it’s just so effortless. He burned Brent Grimes on the deep post in the first half and I don’t think his feet actually touched the ground. It was like watching a hummingbird fly or the Road Runner leave Wile E. Coyote in the dust. Meep! Meep!
Did ANYONE think the toe drag grab in the endzone was actually a touchdown catch? At first glance, I thought for sure he was out of bounds, then they show the replay and you can clearly see he’s in. Yet, I’m still flubbergasted by the catch rule. I mean, I love the Giants. I love Odell. But, he had control then basically wiped Eli’s sweat off the ball with the turf when he hit the field. My mom says I’m a catch, but we all know that call should be overturned.
Via Uproxx.com
5 catches each for Will Tye, Dwayne Harris, and Rueben Randle. I have no research to back this up, but I feel like when Eli is able to complete 25 passes or more AND the Giants are able to run the ball 25+ times, they win. Rashad Jennings had a season-high 22 carries for 81 yards. Though, he still tip-toed and hesitated somewhat, when he found a crevice, he went for it. That’s what she said. Funny how earlier in the week, Rashad and Rueben both called out the play-calling, citing lack of touches, then get the damn ball on Monday night.
I’m thoroughly perplexed by the invisibility of Shane Vereen. The Giants brought this guy in to be a receiving threat. So far this season, he’s averaging about 3 catches per game and 5 games with 1 or none catches. There have been 3 or 4 games where he’s been a factor: Atlanta, San Fran, and New Orleans. Since that shootout in Nawlins, Vereen hasn’t tallied more than 4 receptions per game. But, looking at his numbers with New England, this is kind of what we should’ve expected. He’s on pace to equal his output with the Pats last season. It’s time we collectively temper our aspirations for #34.
The Giants efficiency was efficient:
Third Down Efficiency 5/11 – 45%
Red Zone Efficiency 3/4 – 75%
Goal To Go Efficiency 3/3 – 100%
Only 3 penalties for the G-Men compared to 12 by Miami.
The defense… the defense… was getting straight skewered, both by the Dolphins and Jon Gruden in the booth. Each and every replay, Chuckie would note how poor the Giants tackling was. Missed tackles, half-hearted attempts. Lots of Giant defenders going to their knees instead of staying on their feet, squaring up and wrapping up.
photo via Cox Media Group Digital
Landon Collins came up with a huge forced fumble in the first (which the offense still couldn’t capitalize on, settling for a field goal) and led the team in tackles.
Amukamara got torched by Kenny Stills on the touchdown. I have to think he’s not 100%.
DRC played a great game with a couple passes defended. I’d like to see him actually catch interceptions, though. That deep toss down the right side was right in his hands. Granted, he was getting molested, but gotta have that if you want to win more games.
Via NYPost.com
Trevin Wade played admirably. He got some props from Gruden.
41 pass attempts and 1 sack courtesy of Robert Ayers, Jr. Jason Pierre-Paul had 3 tackles. The broadcast booth seems to think that JPP’s mitt / club is here to stay and if that’s the case, I don’t see a future with the Giants. Everyone has to come together and figure out a better solution because he’s not even a shadow of his former self with that wrap on his hand. If he has a fully functional right hand, Lamar Miller doesn’t score on that long touchdown run. There were probably a few other tackles JPP could’ve notched if he could just grab with another hand. 5 games, 15 tackles, 0 sacks, 2 recovered fumbles.
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) recovers a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Most Dolphins fans were very vocal about not giving Miller more touches. He only had 12 carries, but ran for 89 yards and the 2 scores. I’m also confused how you don’t feed him the ‘skin.
I was worried about the special teams coming in with Captain Zak DeOssie sidelined. Dwayne Harris is a mixed bag. I have no idea what he was doing trying to grab the ball on the goal line with 6 ‘Fins around him. Brad Wing booted the ball fairly well. Josh Brown missed another field goal. Snap looked okay, hold was shaky. You have to wonder if last week is haunting #3.
UP NEXT: vs. Carolina on Sunday, December 20, 1:00 PM on FOX
This one could get ugly quick. Carolina’s first in the league in scoring points, they’re second in the league in rushing yards. They crushed Dallas, Washington, and Philly. They smoked Green Bay. Atlanta didn’t even bother showing up yesterday. They beat Seattle in Seattle. A large part of me (my gut) has already chalked this up to be a loss. A blowout loss. But there’s a sliver of me (ear lobe) that tingles with the hope of an effort like we gave against the Pats. Only this time we hold on to the game-winning TD catch. We hold on to the game-ending interception. A win here could be the launching pad for a wild tear through the playoffs. A loss here and I can’t see the Giants rebounding.
Neal Lynch 
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