Manning knows he should have used QB slide

After watching replays of Sunday's game, Eli Manning came to the same conclusion that most people had while watching it live. "I should have gone feet first," the Giants' QB said Monday of his clumsy tumble on a critical fourth-and-6 run that converted the first down but wound up as a lost fumble when he hit the ground.

Manning said at the time, he thought he would be able to split the two defenders who were closing in from either side - Asante Samuel and Dimitri Patterson - and gain some extra yardage. "I thought maybe I can get past these guys, so you speed up and run a little harder and then at the last second you say, 'Uhh, maybe not,' " Manning said.

Andrews' Rx for playing

Starting LT Shawn Andrews, who did not practice last week but played against the Eagles, said he came out of the game without any setbacks to his sore back. "Of course the Toradol is wearing off, but I'm dealing with that," he said. Andrews also had an epidural to allow him to play.

Giant steps

WR Steve Smith (pectoral) said he could be back for the game against the Redskins on Dec. 5, but he expects to be limited . . . Tom Coughlin hinted that Ahmad Bradshaw's fumbling issues could mean more carries for Brandon Jacobs going forward. "Options are all open," he said.