Grading the Giants
Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. (Oct. 2, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
OFFENSE: B
There were plenty of bad drives and poor plays and the two turnovers deep in their own territory resulted in 10 Cardinals points. But when the Giants needed to push the ball, they were able. Hakeem Nicks caught 10 passes for 162 yards and Eli Manning completed 27 of 40 for 321. He also was 14-for-17 for 180 yards and two TDs in the fourth quarter. The Giants were 6-for-13 on third downs and 3-for-4 in the red zone. They had scored after five of their previous six take-aways, but couldn't score on two Sunday.
DEFENSE: B
The Giants allowed 368 total yards, including Larry Fitzgerald's eight catches for 102 yards and Beanie Wells' 138 rushing yards on 27 carries. But when the Giants needed stops in the fourth quarter, they came through. They had a huge three-and-out after cutting Arizona's lead to 27-24 and stiffened on the final Cardinals drive with a sack by Osi Umenyiora and a deflection by Corey Webster against Fitzgerald.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Lawrence Tynes finally kicked his first field goal of the season, even though he took a beating making it. Tynes also had three touchbacks. Devin Thomas had a 36-yard kickoff return. Aaron Ross' 18-yard punt return in the fourth quarter gave the Giants less real estate to cover on the winning drive. Steve Weatherford had a touchback and a punt inside the 20 among his five punts for an average 35-yard net. The Giants kept dangerous returner Patrick Peterson contained. Snapper Zak DeOssie played without a glitch despite missing practices with a sore back this week.
COACHING: A
Getting the ball with 29 seconds left in the first half at their own 28, the Giants were aggressive and drove for a field goal when they could have taken a knee and gone into halftime leading 7-6. There was some creative offensive play calling, such as the throwback pass from Manning to Jake Ballard that set up a TD. Defensively, the Giants figured out how to stop those quick slants to Fitzgerald in time to deflect the fourth-down pass on the final drive.
