Eli Manning and the Giants continue to impress

By Jonathan Solomon  |   Tuesday, September 20, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
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The New York Giants defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-10 to become one of only three NFC teams to be undefeated. This is the Giants' first 2-0 start to a season since 2000 when they went all the way to the Super Bowl. The Monday night game started off well for the team as they recovered a Saints fumble on the opening kickoff. The Giants scored about a minute later and never relinquished the lead.

Eli Manning looked calm and collected in the first half and was able to find his targets with ease. With a 54% completion percentage, the franchise quarterback wasn't sacked a single time even with a strong Saints defensive line. Both of the main receiving weapons, wide receiver Plaxico Burress and tight end Jeremy Shockey recorded five catches for 64 yards.

The run game was yet again a big key for scoring points as both Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs found the endzone. Tiki had 89 total yards and a pair of touchdowns (one rush, one catch) while Jacobs stuffed the ball into the endzone on the team's first offensive possession.

Very similar to last week's game versus the Cardinals, the Giants defense stopped the run but had difficulty stopping the passing game. Deuce McAllister only ran for 47 yards. On the other spectrum both receivers Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth had over 100 yards receiving, Horn had the lone Saints touchdown.

The defensive line for the Giants played fierce all night long. Michael Strahan started and showed no ill signs from the back spasms which plagued him during the past week. Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy was in Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks' face on every play, or so it seemed. The big defensive numbers are 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions. In total, the Saints turned the ball over six times. Whether it was the emotion of the night or slippery hands, they shot themselves in the foot.

Special team kicker Jay Feely and punter Jeff Feagles each had great games. Feely kicked field goals successfully twice, his longest for 39 yards. Feagles punted five times for a 45 yard average with two landing inside the 20 yard line. No monster returns but the two kickers did their part.

The Giants were not completely crystal clear however. The yellow flags were thrown often, a total of nine times for 86 yards.

The Giants need to work on covering receivers and trying to limit the penalties. Big Blue doesn't play again until Sunday night in San Diego. The Chargers are 0-2 and need a win desperately. It won't help matters that this is the team Eli Manning spurned prior to last years draft. They will be out for revenge, as will the fans that will be anything but shy. It will be a tough test but should determine whether the Giants can hang with some of the better teams in the league.
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