Eli Manning and the Giants enjoying offensive feast

By Jonathan Solomon  |   Tuesday, October 04, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
A week after getting beat up by the San Diego Chargers, the New York Giants bounced back against the St. Louis Rams defeating them 44-24. The Giants continue to lead the entire NFL in points scored, with 136. Giants quarterback Eli Manning stole the show for the second week in a row as far as New York was concerned with a day comparable to his big brother, MVP Peyton Manning. The younger Manning threw for four touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception in 2005.

Perhaps the only player who could steal any spotlight from Manning this week was wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Just about the only way he could've done that is by having a career day, which he did. Plaxico caught 10 passes for over 200 yards and a couple of scores. Even though most of it came in the first half, Plaxico proved to be the difference maker on the field as he leaped into the air for some of Manning's passes.

One of the longest tenured Giants, receiver Amani Toomer caught his first touchdown pass since 2003 and Jeremy Shockey caught his 200th career reception and took it all the way in for a touchdown. On the ground, the Giants bounced back from a week ago as Tiki Barber rushed for over 120 yards and a score of his own.

The New York Giants defense had an up and down day against the pass-happy Rams. Ram QB Marc Bulger threw over 60 passes, completing 40 for two scores while throwing three interceptions. Because the Rams trailed early on and for the entire game, the rushing game was absolutely invisible. Steven Jackson did end up starting, and rushing 10 times for 17 yards while scoring once with a reception and fumbling as well. Marshall Faulk rushed only three times for 16 yards. Perhaps the only plus for the Rams' offensive unit besides scoring three times was the protection that Bulger received, only being sacked once.

Linebacker Carlos Emmons and cornerback Will Peterson did not play and were inactive. Emmons' injury isn't expected to keep him out much longer while Peterson's back is being reported as season threatening. Reports from inside the organization detailed a shouting confrontation between Peterson and head coach Tom Coughlin last week. The result saw the cornerback being asked not to attend the team's hotel meetings. Curtis DeLoatch has started and has done a decent job filling in for Peterson. Still, the defense must improve on pass defense or opposing teams will light them up at will.

Next week, the Giants have a bye-week and will be preparing for division play on October 16th in Dallas versus the Cowboys . Besides the fact that it's a division game, it should be fascinating to see which defense steps up its play.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report