Giants' Manning Says Others Need To Step Up When Beckham Doubled
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- There was something missing in the New York Giants' offense in the second half against Philadelphia.
One can be flip and say everything was missing: plays, yards, first down, points, consistency.
The Eagles dominated the Giants on Monday night, 27-7 in Philadelphia.
The truth is the biggest part missing was Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants' playmaker. The Eagles did an outstanding job of double-teaming him in the second half, and he did not catch a pass. He was targeted once.
"Teams are going to try to take him away, and that's fine," quarterback Eli Manning said Wednesday as the Giants (3-3) started preparations for Sunday's game against the Cowboys (2-3) at MetLife Stadium. "You have to move him around, don't make it easy for them. The other guys have to make plays. You have to find the guys in single coverage, and that's what you have to wait for."
Forcing the ball to Beckham is not going to work. Occasionally it might, but the risk of turnovers is great.
Manning did not do that in the opening half in Philadelphia. He targeted Beckham seven times and completed passes for 61 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive.
In the second half Beckham was not available, and Manning had trouble finding receivers. He was sacked a season-high three times and hit five other times. He was under pressure seemingly every time he went back to throw as the Eagles forced the Giants into passing situations.
"That's part of football. Sometimes you have those games,'' Manning said. ``Hopefully, you still get the ball out, you still get completions, you still run your offense. But you understand that is part of playing the quarterback position. There are some weeks things are not open down the field as fast as you want and you have to move around, buy some time and take some hits. That's all right.''
The Cowboys had a bye week and are riding a three-game losing streak. However, they played well defensively in a loss to the Patriots, sacking Tom Brady five times.
Manning said Dallas used a different type of defense than it showed in the season opener against New York, and he is not certain which one the Cowboys will use Sunday. It doesn't matter: He plans to be ready for either one.
"We've lost games this season, and we have bounced back," Manning said.
Guard Justin Pugh said the problem with the offense Monday night was that the Giants put themselves in predictable passing situations after falling behind, allowing the Eagles to dial up some exotic pass-rushing defenses.
"When you are down seven points, you can't start pressing," Pugh said. "We have to stick to our game plan, like we did on the first drive. Just do your job, not too much. That was something that hurt us."
In Week 1, Dallas came from behind in the final seconds for a 27-26 victory. Tony Romo hit Jason Witten for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 7 seconds to play.
Romo is out with a broken collarbone he suffered in Week 2. Former Chiefs and Vikings QB Matt Cassel will start for Dallas.
NOTES: Beckham (hamstring) and cornerback Trevin Wade (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. LBs Jonathan Casillas (neck), Devon Kennard (hamstring) and Uani `Unga (stinger) were limited, along with DE Robert Ayers Jr. (hamstring) and WR Rueben Randle (hamstring). ... Coughlin does not know when DE Jason Pierre-Paul will have the hand he injured in a fireworks accident examined by team physicians again. "I wish I knew," he said. "As soon as I have information, I'll let you know."
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