Giants vs. Redskins (Win 27-23)

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The Giants beat the Redskins on Sunday with a thrilling 77 yard pass from Eli Manning to Victor Cruz to seal it.  It was a game that introduced RG3 to New York and in some cases a national audience.  RG3 nearly pulled it out for the Skins, the Giants were lucky to walk away from this evenly matched game with a victory.  It’s scary to think he is a rookie, the Giants will have to face him twice a year for the next 12 -15 years.  Eli Manning played what for him was an uncharacteristically sloppy game, with a couple of missed throws and a couple of bad interceptions.  He is such a good quarterback and his standard is so high that it is surprising when he looks like an average NFL quarterback.  OF course he turned into Captain Comeback after the Giants gave up a late 4th quarter touchdown to Moss.
The running game never got going.  It may not have been given a great shot, but it didn’t look very effective when they tried.  Given the edge they should have had in the passing game it was not a bad call to keep passing.  Manning did pass for 330 yards, a number relatively close to our prediction.  After flashing the prior week, David Wilson once again didn’t get a carry with Brown back in the lineup.  The coaches seemingly just don’t trust him in a close game.  It seems all of his carries post week 1, have been when the game was not very close.  Giants fans, and this blog, are clamoring to see more of him.   
Importantly the Giant’s seemed to come out of the game relatively healthy.  Canty came back on a “pitch count” and was active and helped out inside but not enough to stop a vicious Redskin running game.  I’m shocked how much Rocky Bernard is missed for his run stuffing presence.  I do think the bigger issue with the run, was the different nature of the option.  They are not in college anymore and the transition into the NFL will take some getting used to.  The Giants were better against the run in the second half once they “figured out” the scheme.   It could be like the Wildcat, when it is new it takes some getting used to. But then everyone figures out how to play it – probably wishful thinking.  
JPP, Tuck, and Umneyora all recorded sacks.  While Umneyora is certain not to be back next year (and is a major liability against the run) it also clear that Tuck is well past his prime.  He has been a tremendous contributor to the team and is a team leader, but he won’t be earning his contract next year.  Cruz starting talking about a contract extension already and Nicks also hits free agency this year.  They will have to draw the somewhere, and will be forced to make some cuts.  Don’t be shocked to see Tuck and Umenyora gone next year.  I think there is even a chance Canty, who has a big cap number next year, could join them.  The Giants are deep at linebacker, so they can slide Kiwi back to end across from JPP and have Tracey and Ojomo backing up at ends.  Canty is probably safe simply because Marvin Austin has failed to live up to his billing.  In the secondary, Stevie Brown was all over the place and had a big Interception.  Phillips is still missed in run support, but not in the passing game.  With Phillip’s contract coming up, Brown and Hill being cheap options, 2012 could turn into the last year for him as a Giant as well.
I have one bone to pick with Coughlin on play calling.  Facing a third and 1 with a few minutes left and up a few points, it was imperative to keep the clock rolling.  Nobody remembers the paly now because the Giants won, but they went with a back shoulder throw to a still not fully healthy Nicks.  It was incomplete which stopped the clock and turned the ball over to the Redskins who then quickly capitalized.  If they would have ran for a first down there, it likely would have not left the Skins with enough time to score a touchdown even if they only ran 3 more plays.  It was a bad play call that they got away with.  The Giants play the Cowboys next week in an important division match up.  We will have a preview later this week