Team Grades: Mediocre Giants Fall Flat Against Rejuvenated Cowboys
By Curt Macysyn
Even though the New York Football Giants (3-4) were coming off of a deflating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, many members of Giants Nation still thought the team had the capacity to turn the corner and avoid another disappointing season. After this week's 31-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Big Blue faithful has some time, because of the bye week, to ponder whether or not this team has what it takes to make a playoff run. Based on the results of the past two weekends, the likelihood of a Big Blue post-season dance seems remote at this juncture.
OFFENSE: C
Quarterback Eli Manning succeeded against the Cowboys despite a pretty inept performance by his offensive line. Manning was 21-33 for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Odell Beckham, Jr. had four catches for 34 yards, but two of his catches went for touchdowns. Tight end Larry Donnell had seven catches for 90 yards, but also lost two fumbles. The Giants other tight end Daniel Fells had a nice 27 yard touchdown grab for his only pass reception on the afternoon.
The rushing attack was grounded by the Cowboys' defense, as Andre Williams could only muster 51 rushing yards, with an anemic 2.8 yard per carry average. The overall rushing attack barely had 100 yards on the afternoon, and only because Manning and Beckham combined for two rushes for 24 yards. The offensive line was a day late and a dollar short all afternoon in run blocking and was porous in pass protection.
Manning did not turn the ball over, but the two fumbles by Donnell are inexcusable. The first fumble allowed the Cowboys to stretch their lead to two touchdowns, and Donnell's second miscue ended New York's slim comeback hopes for good. In terms of good news, maybe Manning and wide receiver Rueben Randle are getting on the same page finally, as Randle had six catches for 74 yards.
DEFENSE: F
Well, linebacker Jon Beason got hurt again, and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins was also injured in the game. Beason re-injured the same foot that has caused him problems since the preseason, so the Giants have gotten little return on three-year contract that Beason signed in the off season. Workhorse runnning back DeMarco Murray had 128 yards on 28 carries, and in the process, Murray became the first player ever to rush for more than 100 yards in the first seven games of an NFL season. The Giants' defense remains undisciplined, allowing runners like Murray and Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy to get chunks of yardage by allowing far too many cut back opportunities.
Quarterback Tony Romo threw one interception to Prince Amukamara, on a pass where Dez Bryant fell down, but otherwise Romo did have a good outing. The veteran Dallas signal caller threw for three touchdown passes against a confused Giants' pass defense. Quarterbacks normally do not complete 75 percent of their passes against top notch competition, and Romo's quarterback rating was a glistening 135.7 on the afternoon. Bryant also had a good day with 151 receiving yards on nine catches.
Jason Pierre-Paul had two sacks and six tackles, and Amukamara had seven tackles to go along with his interception. The rest of the Giants' defense was spotty at best, allowing Dallas to gain 423 yards in total offense.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Michael Cox broke off a forty yard kickoff return for the G-men, and Odell Beckham, Jr. handled the punt returns with a 10.5 average. Josh Brown was perfect on extra points, as well as not allowing dangerous return man Dwayne Harris to return a kick because all of his kickoffs were touchbacks.
Steve Weatherford punted five times for a 44.8 yard average, including two punts inside the twenty yard line.
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Curt Macysyn has been covering the New York Football Giants for the past two seasons for Examiner.com. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Curt has followed and covered the New York Metropolitan sports scene for 35 years. He attended Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, NJ and is a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. His work can be found on aExaminer.com.