Giants win defensive battle for NFC East supremacy

By Jonathan Solomon  |   Tuesday, December 06, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
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The biggest game in the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys rivalry since 1993 was played on Sunday at Giants Stadium with the NFC East division on the line. It was a must win situation for the Giants and they did just that. A final score of 17-10 proved that New York's defense has been anything but soft in recent months. With the win, the Giants are the sole leaders of the NFC East and are in a situation to pick-up a first round bye in the playoffs.

Earlier in the day, it snowed in New Jersey but the field was cleared for game-time. Those who predicted a defensive struggle were correct, as neither offense was able to be anything near consistent. The Giants led 10-0 at the half and were able to make it 17-0 on the first drive of the second half when Antonio Pierce returned a fumble for a touchdown. Eli Manning did not play a good game, making wild throws all around the field. Even so, the Giants defense held the Cowboys in check in the second half. Billy Cundiff was successful from 34-yards and Drew Bledsoe woke up in the third quarter and found Terry Glenn for the lone Cowboys touchdown. The game was book-ended with a scoreless opening and closing quarter.

Eli Manning was 12 of 31 for 152 yards with a pair of interceptions. Tiki Barber continued to make a strong case for MVP consideration with a 115 rushing yard day on 30 carries. Brandon Jacobs scored on a goal line run in the second quarter. Tim Carter caught two passes for 48 yards while Plaxico Burress caught four for 47 yards. Kicker Jay Feely returned to the field a week after missing three kicks and costing the Giants a win in Seattle. Feely made a successful 27-yard kick in the first half but missed a 33-yarder late in the game. Michael Strahan had a huge day with a pair of sacks. Defensive backs Brent Alexander and rookie James Butler each had an interception.

Drew Bledsoe completed 15 of 39 passes for 146 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Julius Jones rushed the ball 23 times for 74 yards and also caught nine passes for 88 yards. Glenn caught a touchdown on three catches for 37 yards. Corner Aaron Glenn was able to contain Plaxico Burress and had both of Dallas' interceptions, one of which came in the end zone on an underthrown pass from Eli.

Eli Manning's streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass ended at 12. He'll need to play better down the stretch if Big Blue hopes to wrap up the division and a playoff berth. The Giants schedule isn't favorable, as they will go on the road three out of the final four weeks of the year. Next week, they will travel to Philly to take on the Eagles.

When the New York Giants defense is able to play as good as they have been, they are a tough team to beat. Imagine if the offense were effective, the game wouldn't have been close. That's how you define a good team, when one side of the ball doesn't do well, the other group will pick them up. Back in 2000, the Giants were the hottest team in the NFC and were able to ride that momentum to the Super Bowl. The 2005, Eli Manning-led Giants are a better team but they'll need momentum on their side.
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