Die Hard Sports Fan

The Giants flew out to Glendale, AZ where they won Super Bowl XLII and outscored the high octane Cardinals offense. I must admit that I was nervous for a few days prior to kick off. The first reason was because the G-MEN are due for a loss, and the second reason was because they have not had to defend a high-flying offense like this maybe since the Super Bowl. This victory along with a Titans loss now puts the Giants and the Titans in a tie for the best record in the NFL, 10-1, with five games to go. Who team will finish the ‘08 season with a better record? We’ll see, but I do know that Big Blue will move up to the #1 spot on all of the Power Rankings.

Offense

The Giants offense consisted of a whole lot of passing yesterday. Eli Manning had a great game as he went 26/33 which is a 78.79% completion percentage and threw for 240 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. This is the first time he threw for over 200 yards since the Seattle game. Every time the Cardinals scored, Eli marched the team right down the field for a score never giving the Cardinals the opportunity to take the lead. Manning spread the love by throwing his 3 TD passes to 3 different receivers which included Amani Toomer, Madison Hedgecock, and Kevin Boss. Domenik Hixon replaced Burress after the first series and led the team in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 6 and 57 respectively. Earth, Wind, and Fire were not able to show themselves off as a trio to the Cardinals defense because Jacobs was inactive. Ward and Bradshaw were not as successful without the big man. Derrick Ward led the ground game with 20 touches for 69 yards and 1 Rushing TD. The running game only amassed to 87 yards on 27 carries. The Giants’ offense put up 28 of the 37 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was solid even though they gave up 29 points. The defense came out and pressured Kurt Warner throughout the game and the defensive backs were extremely physical with the Cardinals’ receivers. Justin Tuck got the only sack of the game as well as a forced fumble. Rookie Kenny Phillips had his best game yet with 7 Tackles. It seemed like Phillips was involved in every play, and his best play of the game was when he punched the ball out of Larry Fitzgerald’s hands in the end zone for what would’ve been a TD. Ross was also playing very physical, but too physical for the Refs because they kept throwing flags out on the field. The other rookie, Terrell Thomas, got a pick. The Giants have been allowing an average of 17 points per game so they were fortunate that they got the win after allowing 29 points. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 37 points.

Special Teams

John Carney returned and was 3/3 (perfect again) in Field Goal Attempts. I already mentioned how Hixon filled in really well for the injured Plaxico, but he was even better on special teams. Domenik Hixon had 201 return yards which constantly gave the Giants’ offense great field position which they took advantage of. Most of Hixon’s return yardage came on a 83-yard return and a 66-yard return. Hixon left the game with 269 total yards so props to him. The Giants’ special teams put up 9 of the 37 points.

Heading into this weekend, I felt like all four NFC East teams were going to win because there were not any head-to-head games or really challenging opponents. The three teams with the better records won while the Eagles with the worst record lost. I was hoping that either the Redskins or Cowboys would’ve lost rather than the Eagles. The Giants won their tenth game which makes them 10-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 5 games? They have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFL. I predicted them to be 9-2 after the first 11 games, and they are 10-1. I got 3 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers, and then I had the Giants and the Eagles splitting the season series with each of them winning at home. I predicted the Giants to be 3-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will make a trip to the nation’s capitol to take on the Redskins on Sunday.

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I sat on the edge of my seat for hours as I watched the Giants leave Philly with a ‘W’ over the Eagles, but I was not impressed with the efforts of either team. The Eagles deflected a pass by Eli which set up a Touch Down in the first 90 seconds, and the stadium was rockin’. I was nervous as soon as that happened thinking we would be in for a long night, and I was correct even though the G-MEN won the game. The lead went back-and-forth, and the game was excessively long for a game that did not go into overtime. The only thing that matters is the result. I have to credit Tom Coughlin and his staff more than any of the players for this win because they did not make any mistakes. Many of the players did many good things, but almost all of them made at least one mistake as well. Coach Coughlin had the team prepared to play the Eagles in a hostile environment, and he out-coached Andy Reid last night. The most noteworthy would be the challenge when Eli was on the line of scrimmage and flicked the shovel pass to Boss which ultimately gave Big Blue the lead in the 3rd Quarter. Props to whoever informed T.C. to challenge that play because I thought he was across the line.

Offense

The Giants offense put up plenty of points but got stopped in the red zone three times. Eli Manning had decent statistics as he went 17/31 which is a 54.84% completion percentage and threw for 191 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. I already discussed how disturbed I was when Manning threw the pick to Mike Patterson in the first 90 seconds of the game. Eli led the offense on a scoring drive on the next possession where he found Plaxico Burress in the end zone to tie the game. That was Burress’ only reception of the game. Manning threw his second Touch Down pass to Kevin Boss during the first play of the 2nd Quarter. Kevin Boss had 6 receptions for 69 yards. Boss hurdled over an Eagles’ defender which he should not have done after he saw Jacobs do the same thing but turned the ball over. The O-Line was outstanding as they allowed Earth, Wind, and Fire to rush for 217 yards on 44 attempts which is an average of 4.93 yards per carry. Brandon Jacobs had 2 rushing TDs, but he also fumbled the ball while hurling an Eagles’ defender. Jacobs led the ground game with 126 yards on 22 carries. The Giants’ offense put up 27 of the 36 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was not as impressive as they were in the previous two games, but they got the job done. The Giants were not able to sack Donovan McNabb, but Sam Madison got the only Giants’ turnover which was an Interception in the 2nd Quarter. The Giants were able to stop the Eagles on multiple drives without racking up a pretty stat sheet, especially in the 4th Quarter when the game was on the line. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 36 points.

Special Teams

John Carney was 3/3 in Field Goal Attempts. The Giants had trouble on their coverage after placing David Tyree on IR earlier in the week. The Giants’ special teams put up 9 of the 39 points.

So the Giants won their eighth game which makes them 8-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 7 games? I predicted them to be 7-2 after the first 9 games, and they are 8-1. I got 3 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers, and then I had the Giants and the Eagles splitting the season series with each of them winning at home. I predicted the Giants to be 5-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Ravens will travel to New York to take on the Giants on Sunday.

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After keeping fans on the edge of their seats for a few hours, the Giants came out of the City of Brotherly Love with a victory over the Eagles giving Big Blue their eighth win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

The Giants were able to get one first down on their opening drive before Eli Manning threw a pass that was deflected at the line of scrimmage, intercepted, and returned to the Giants’ 9 yardline by Mike Patterson with 13:30 remaining.

The Eagles quickly capitalized on the turnover on 2nd and Goal as they direct snapped the ball to Desean Jackson who broke to the right side and dove over the right pile on for a 9-yard Touch Down run with 13:18 remaining.

The Giants evened up the score on their next possession going 80 yards on 10 plays, and Eli Manning threw a bullet to Plaxico Burress who was in between two defenders in the middle of the end zone for a 18-yard Touch Down reception with 8:21 remaining.

When the Giants kicked off, Quintin Demps caught the ball at the 5 yardline and returned it to the 25 yardline where Ahmad Bradshaw knocked the ball out and Chase Blackburn fell on the ball at the Eagles’ 14 yardline.

The Eagles were able to stop the Giants from getting into the end zone after giving them great field position, but John Carney made a 27-yard Field Goal Attempt with 6:48 remaining giving the Giants a 10-7 lead.

2nd Quarter

A few runs by Ward along with a few passes to Toomer helped set up the Giants on 1st and Goal at the Eagles’ 1 yardline, and Eli Manning capped it off by throwing a 1-yard Touch Down pass to Kevin Boss in the back of the end zone giving the Giants a 17-7 lead with 14:55 remaining.

On 1st and 10 at the Giants’ 43 yardline, Eli Manning got sacked by Trent Cole and Mike Patterson for a loss of 9 yards with 11:04 remaining on a drive which ultimately led to a punt.

On 1st and 10 at the Giants’ 35 yardline, Manning handed the ball off to Brandon Jacobs who broke towards the left sideline and jumped over defenders near the first down marker but had the ball stripped out of his hands by Chris Gocong and recovered by Mike Patterson at the Giants’ 44 yardline with 6:39 remaining.

The Eagles took advantage of the great field position again as Donovan McNabb found Jason Avant at about the 5 yardline who ran it into the end zone for a 10-yard Touch Down catch with 4:01 remaining cutting the deficit to 17-14.

On 3rd and 12 at the 13 yardline, Donovan McNabb threw an interception to Sam Madison who returned it 19 yards to the Eagles’ 14 yardline with 2:05 remaining.

The Eagles kept the Giants out of the end zone again, but John Carney made his 26-yard Field Goal Attempt giving the Giants a 20-14 lead with 1:49 remaining.

McNabb led the 2:00 offense to the Giants’ 11 yardline with 0:05 remaining so David Akers came out to try a 29-yard Field Goal Attempt which he made with 0:00 remaining cutting the lead to 20-17 before the half.

3rd Quarter

McNabb was spreading the love during the Eagles’ opening drive of the half, and Donovan McNabb lofted an 8-yard Touch Down pass to Hank Baskett who came down with the ball in the left corner of the end zone with 11:24 remaining giving the Eagles the lead 24-20 .

The Giants gave the Eagles’ defense a big dose of Jacobs who kept moving the chains to the Eagles’ 21 yardline before Manning scrambled and threw a shovel pass to Boss at 3 yardline which was ruled a penalty initially, and then the play was challenged and overturned. On 2nd and Goal, Brandon Jacobs bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 3-yard Touch Down run giving the Giants the lead 27-24 with 5:56 remaining.

4th Quarter

The Giants continued to wear down the Eagles’ defense as Earth, Wind, and Fire got them to the Eagles’ 6 yardline before getting held out of the end zone for the third time, but John Carney connected on his 28-yard Field Goal Attempt making the score 30-24 with 13:28 remaining.

Hixon returned the ball all the way to the Eagles’ 15 yardline, but a holding penalty backed them up to the Eagles’ 40 yardline. Bradshaw had a 23-yard run which immediately got the Giants into the redzone. On 2nd and Goal at the 3 yardline, Brandon Jacobs with the help of his blockers broke the plane of the goal line while losing the football which was initially called a Touch Down, and then it was challenged and the ruling on the field was upheld. The Giants failed on their Two Point Conversion Attempt so their lead is now 36-24 over the Eagles with 9:30 remaining.

The Eagles opened up their passing attack on the Giants prevent defense marching all the way down to the Giants’ 2 yardline, and Donovan McNabb rolled to the right and threw a 2-yard Touch Down pass to Kevin Curtis in the back of the end zone on 4th and 2 with 5:30 remaining cutting the lead to 36-31.

The Giants held the Eagles on 4th and 1 at the Eagles’ 45 yardline forcing the Eagles to turn the ball over on downs with 1:48 remaining.

The Giants picked up a first down on 4th and Inches to run out the clock.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 17/31 and threw for 191 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT.

Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts and Rushing Yards with 22 and 126 respectively.

Kevin Boss led in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 6 and 69 respectively.

Brandon Jacobs had 2 Rushing TDs, and Kevin Boss and Plaxico Burress each had 1 Receiving TD.

John Carney went 3/3 in Field Goal Attempts.

Antonio Pierce led the team in Tackles with 7.

The Giants had no Sacks.

Sam Madison had 1 INT.

The Giants had no Forced Fumbles.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The Giants devoured the Cowboys who came limping into Giants Stadium today giving Big Blue their seventh win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

The Giants scored on their opening drive as they went 75 yards, and Eli Manning capped it off by throwing a floater to Kevin Boss who was along the right sideline at the 1 yardline and ran in for a 13-yard Touch Down with 8:47 remaining.

On 1st and 10 at the Giants’ 25 yardline, Brad Johnson threw an interception to Corey Webster who returned it 57 yards down the right sideline to the Cowboys’ 27 yardline with 2:48 remaining.

The Giants capitalized on the Cowboys’ turnover as Eli Manning completed a 5-yard Touch Down pass to Steve Smith who was in the middle of field at about the 1 yardline and ran it into the end zone for a Touch Down with 0:41 remaining.

2nd Quarter

On 3rd and 7, Justin Tuck sacked Brad Johnson on the first play of the quarter for a loss of 5 yards with 14:56 remaining which led to a Cowboys punt.

On 3rd and 12, the ball came out of Eli Manning’s hands as he brought his arm back, and DeMarcus Ware recovered the football at the Giants’ 16 yardline with 11:25 remaining.

On 2nd and 11, Johnson fired a 5-yard pass to Owens over the middle, but Antonio Pierce stripped the ball out of Terrell Owens‘ hands and Michael Johnson recovered it at the 6 yardline with 10:40 remaining.

On 2nd and 8, Mike Jenkins jumped the route as Eli Manning tried to hook up with Burress along the right sideline, and Jenkins returned it down the sideline untouched a 23-yard Touch Down return with 8:38 remaining.

On 2nd and 6, Bradie James sacked Eli Manning for a 6-yard loss with 7:43 remaining. Ward reception for 17, Ward for 9, Jacobs, . Later on during the same drive, Chris Canty also sacked Eli Manning for a loss of 12 yards on 3rd and 10 with 4:58 remaining which led to a Giants punt.

The Cowboys were marching down the field as Barber kept moving the chains, but then Brad Johnson threw an interception to Corey Webster along the right sideline and he ran it out of bounds at the 48 yardline with 2:48 remaining.

The Giants ate up 1:20 as they went on a five play scoring drive before the end of the first half, and Eli Manning found Amani Toomer in the middle of the end zone for a 11-yard Touch Down with 1:28 remaining.

As the Cowboys were trying to put some points on the scoreboard before Halftime, Brad Johnson got sacked by Jay Alford and Justin Tuck for a loss of 7 yards on 2nd and 10 with 1:09 remaining.

3rd Quarter

The Cowboys replaced Johnson with Bollinger, and Brooks Bollinger threw an interception to James Butler on his first pass attempt as Butler returned it to the Cowboys’ 18 yardline with 14:06 remaining.

It only took the Giants two running plays by Jacobs to reach the end zone, and Brandon Jacobs ran up the middle breaking three tackles for a 12-yard Touch Down run with 13:16 remaining.

Bollinger handed the ball off to Barber who gained 3 yards before Barber lost 12 yards on the next reception which set up a 3rd and 19 where Justin Tuck and Fred Robbins sacked Brooks Bollinger for a loss of 9 yards with 11:51 remaining which forced the Cowboys to punt from their own 2 yardline.

The Giants second possession resulted in a Punt.

The Cowboys third possession resulted in a Punt.

With 7:31 remaining, DeMarcus Ware knocked the ball out of Eli Manning’s hands on the first play of the drive and James Bradie fell on it at the 25 yardline.

4th Quarter

The Cowboys were finally able to put a successful scoring drive together as they went 75 yards, and they capped it off when Brooks Bollinger hooked up with Terrell Owens in the left side of the end zone for an 8-yard Touch Down pass with 14:07 remaining.

The Giants immediately retaliated on their next possession as Jacobs had a huge 31-yard run which moved the Giants into Cowboys’ territory, and Derrick Ward ran 17 yards up the middle for a Touch Down on 2nd and Goal with 8:20 remaining.

The Cowboys fifth possession began at the 33 yardline. With 7:32 remaining, Mathias Kiwanuka came around and sacked Brooks Bollinger from the blindside for a loss of 4 yards on a drive which ultimately led to a punt.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 16/27 and threw for 147 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT.

Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts and Rushing Yards with 17 and 117 respectively.

Steve Smith led in Receptions with 5 and Plaxico Burress led in Receiving Yards with 34.

Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward each had a Rushing TD, and Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, and Amani Toomer each had 1 Receiving TD.

John Carney went 0/0 in Field Goal Attempts which shows you what kind of game it was.

Sammy Knight and Justin Tuck led the team in Tackles with 5.

Justin Tuck had 2.5 Sacks while Mathias Kiwanuka had 1 Sack and Jay Alford each had 0.5 Sacks.

Corey Webster had 2 INTs, and James Butler had 1 INT.

Antonio Pierce each had 1 Forced Fumble.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The Giants went into the Steel City and beat the Steelers at their own game…hard nosed, old school, smash mouthed football. The NFC East is historically known for that as well so it is no shock, but I loved every minute of it. All year, I’ve had to listen to the media say that the Giants haven’t beaten anyone yet. Now we did and came out with the same result. On top of that, we did it on the road in one of the most hostile stadiums in the country…again. The Giants completely lost momentum until John Carney kicked the field goal cutting the deficit to 14-12 with 8:18 remaining in the 4th Quarter. That’s when the Terrible Towels were being waved a little less. Then emergency long snapper James Harrison snapped the ball over the punter’s head which resulted in a safety tying the game at 14-14. The Terrible Towels were being waved even less. Then came the Giants only TD of the game when Eli found Boss in the back of the end zone with 3:07 remaining, and the Giants silenced the stadium. I absolutely loved this game, and I hope that Big Blue can continue to dominate the rest of their opponents in ‘08.

Offense

The Giants offense was average yesterday even though they only got into the end zone once. They came out strong in the 1st Quarter but could not regain momentum until the 4th Quarter. Eli Manning did not have a good night statistically. He went 19/32 which is a 59.38% completion percentage and threw for 199 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs. New York was able to move the chains, but Pittsburgh’s defense was able to stop the Giants from reaching the end zone. The Giants’ defense constantly gave the offense great field position, but the offense did not capitalize on as many possessions as they should have. The Jints offense only put up 7 points, but they were playing one of the best defenses in the NFL. Since the Giants were able to move the chains and get into the red zone, they did make 4 Field Goals. On one occasion, Coach Coughlin decided not to kick a field goal on 4th and Inches early in the 2nd Quarter which could have came back and bit them in the buttocks. RB Derrick Ward had 5 receptions for 43 yards while WR Steve Smith had 3 receptions for 45 yards. Plaxico Burress sat the 1st Quarter for missing treatments for his sore neck on Friday. Burress keeps on pissing me off with this crap, but I guess Coach Coughlin feels the same way. As I said last week, I wouldn’t care if this was a one-off incident, but his behavior is reverting. After getting his mega-contract, he has acted like a fool. Instead, he should be helping his teammates improve. The more Burress acts like T.O. or Chad Johnson, the faster the Giants will let him go like they did with his best friend Jeremy Shockey. Kevin Boss was the only Giant to find the end zone yesterday. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward only compiled 84 yards on 31 touches which is only 2.71 yards per carry, but that is a lot more than the Steelers defense gives up. The tandem was also able to wear down the Steelers’ defense in the 4th Quarter which led to the Giants winning this game. The Giants’ offense put up 7 of the 21 points.

Defense

The Giants defense put on a show for America yesterday. They were just nasty for all four quarters. Not only that, they got better as the game went on. The Steelers were able to score on their first drive when Roethlisberger handed the ball off to Mewelde Moore who ran it 32 yards to the house. The Giants missed a tackle which cost them 7 points. The Steelers opened up the 2nd Half by Ben Roethlisberger throwing a 65-yard bomb to Nate Washington for a TD. This was the only play were the Giants’ defense broke. Besides those two bad plays, the defense dominated the Steelers’ offense all day. The defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger 5 times. Mathias Kiwanuka got to him three times, and Justin Tuck and Dave Tollefson got to him once. Add 14 knock downs to that. Kenny Phillips, Corey Webster, James Butler, and Bryan Kehl each had 1 pick yesterday. Mathias Kiwanuka and Antonio Pierce each forced 1 fumble. These stats are similar to what to what they did last week against the 49ers. There’s a big difference between the talent level of these two teams. You cannot ask for better stat lines than this against one of the best teams in the NFL. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 21 points.

Special Teams

The bes play of the game took place on Special Teams when the Steelers snapped the ball to high giving the Giants a Safety. John Carney was 4/4 in Field Goal Attempts. The Special Teams unit needs to improve on returns and coverage. The Giants’ special teams put up 14 of the 21 points.

So the Giants won their sixth game which makes them 6-1. They now will face the Cowboys and the Eagles back-to-back which are huge games to set the tone. I’m can’t wait to watch these games. How will Big Blue fair in the next 9 games? I predicted them to be 6-1 after the first 7 games, and they are 6-1. I got 2 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers. I predicted the Giants to be 6-3 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Cowboys are next on the schedule.

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The Giants beat the Steelers in an extremely physical matchup and came out on top giving them their sixth win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

The Steelers marched 60 yards into the end zone on their first possession, and Roethlisberger handed the ball off to Mewelde Moore who broke to the right side for a 32-yard Touch Down run to cap it off with 11:15 remaining.

During the Giants’ second possession, Manning mixed up some passes along with an efficient running game before getting stopped at the Steelers’ 8 yardline where John Carney made a 26-yard Field Goal Attempt with 4:39 remaining.

Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception to James Butler who lost the ball, and then various players tried to fall on it and Mathias Kiwanuka came up with it at the Steelers’ 42 yardline with 2:53 remaining.

2nd Quarter

The Giants marched right down to the 2 yardline after the interception, but the Steelers came up with a goal line stand which was poor play calling by Coughlin who should have put the field goal unit out there.

The Giants’s defense was successful in making the Steelers go 3-and-out, and Hixon returned the punt to the Steelers’ 19 yardline. The Steelers stopped the Giants at the 17 yardline so John Carney connected on a 35-yard Field Goal Attempt with 10:30 remaining.

Roethlisberger zipped the ball to Nate Washington, but Butler hit Washington so hard that the ball popped out and into the hands of Bryan Kehl who returned it to the Steelers’ 44 yardline with 7:54 remaining. The Steelers were called for a Personal Foul on the play which advanced the Giants another 15 yards so the Giants took over at the 29 yardline instead.

The Steelers were able to stop the Giants from getting into the end zone again, but John Carney connected on a 25-yard Field Goal Attempt with 3:31 remaining.

With 3:21 remaining, Justin Tuck sacked Ben Roethlisberger for a loss of 6 yards. The Steelers were successfully marching down the field using the no-huddle offense until Mathias Kiwanuka sacked Ben Roethlisberger for a 9-yard loss on 3rd down with 0:56 remaining which forced the Steelers to punt.

3rd Quarter

The Steelers opened up the half, but Dave Tollefson sacked Ben Roethlisberger on third down for a loss of 8 yards with 12:30 remaining so the Steelers had to punt.

Off play action, Ben Roethlisberger aired out a 65-yard Touch Down pass to Nate Washington who ran down the left sideline and into the end zone with 10:00 remaining.

4th Quarter

The Steelers were at the Giants’ 34 yardline on 4th and 4 so they went for it rather than kicking a field goal, but Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception to Corey Webster who returned it to the 32 yardline with 14:00 remaining.

The Giants began their fourth possession at the 32 yardline. Coughlin had the offense go for it on 4th and 6 at the Steelers’ 35 yardline, and Manning hooked up with Toomer who got tackled at the 4 yardline. Once again, the Steelers’ defense stopped the Giants from getting into the end zone so John Carney made a 24-yard Field Goal Attempt with 8:18 remaining.

On 3rd and 14, Mathias Kiwanuka sacked Ben Roethlisberger for an 8-yard loss with 7:16 remaining which forced the Steelers to punt the ball away. When punting, James Harrison snapped the ball over the head of Berger and beyond the end zone which resulted in a Safety.

The Giants possession began at the 47 yardline. Manning hit Smith over the middle for 25 yards, and then he found Burress along the left sideline who got tackled at the 10 yardline. Ward broke to the left and got tackled at the 2 yardline. Off play action, Eli Manning fired a 2-yard Touch Down pass to Kevin Boss in the back of the end zone with 3:07 remaining.

The Giants’ defense made the Steelers go 4-and-out so they took over at the Steelers’ 37 yardline.

The Steelers’ defense made the Giants go 3-and-out forcing the Giants to punt.

On 4th and 15, Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception to Kenny Phillips at their own 49 yardline and no return with 1:24 remaining.

The Giants went into victory formation and ran out the clock.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 19/32 and threw for 199 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs.

Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts and Rushing Yards with 18 and 47 respectively.

Derrick Ward led in Receptions with 5 and Steve Smith led in Receiving Yards with 45.

Kevin Boss had 1 Receiving TD.

John Carney went 4/4 in Field Goal Attempts.

Danny Clarck and Justin Tuck led the team in Tackles with 4.

Mathias Kiwanuka had 3 Sacks while Justin Tuck and Dave Tollefson each had 1 Sack.

Kenny Phillips, Corey Webster, James Butler, and Bryan Kehl each had 1 INTs.

Mathias Kiwanuka and Antonio Pierce each had 1 Forced Fumble.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The best part of yesterday’s game between the Giants and the Bengals was the simply the fact that the G-MEN won by a score of 26-23 in overtime. The Road Warriors won their second home game in as many games in the early 2008 season. These are the Road Warriors that could barely win at home in ‘07.

Offense

Eli Manning did not have a good game statistically. He went 26/43 which is a 60.47% completion percentage and threw for 289 yards and 1 TD. Even though Eli may not have helped out your fantasy team, he was able to counter every scoring drive that the Bengals had. If not with touch downs then with field goals. The Bengals played a much better game then I thought they were going to play, but I guess that’s how NFL teams are going to come to play the Champs. The Giants did not score on their opening drive in OT, but they did not go 3-and-out either. Manning was able to move the chains a bit before they were forced to punt. Eli also marched the Giants down the field when it mattered most during their second possession in overtime which set up the game winning field goal. Steve Smith and Amani Toomer both were key contributors in the Giants aerial attack as they combined for over 120 receiving yards. Manning hooked up with Kevin Boss for a TD to give the Giants the lead before the Bengals tied the game at the end of regulation. In OT, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer made huge catches for gains of 30+ yards which allowed the Giants to attempt the game winning field goal. Earth, Wind, and Fire had a decent outing as they combined for 115. Derrick Ward had 80 yards on only 9 carries. The Giants’ offense put up 14 of the 26 points.

Defense

Big Blue was able to apply pressure on Carson Palmer all day, but Palmer kept on fighting to get the Bengals points and stay in the game. Fred Robbins was the beast of the day and finished the day with 3 Tackles, 2 Sacks, and a few batted balls at the line of scrimmage. Corey Webster, Barry Cofield, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Dave Tollefson were all able to get to Palmer as well. The Giants defense had 6 sacks for the second game in a row which is sweet. Antonio Pierce was all over the place as he ended up with 10 tackles. Even though the Giants were able to get to Carson all game, the Bengals were able to put up a bunch of points. Palmer took the hits and kept on going kind of like Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII. The Big Blue Wrecking Crew were able to make some keys stops at the right time which made it easier for the Giants’ offense to keep pace with the Bengals. The Giants did not allow the Bengals to score in the 3rd Quarter, but you can see how hard they were trying to force the Bengals to punt. The Giants’ defense put up 0 of the 26 points.

Special Teams

John Carney was 4/4 in Field Goal Attempts. Reuben Droughns was effective on kickoff and punt coverage. Domenik Hixon was solid returning Kickoffs and Punts. The Giants’ special teams put up 12 of the 26 points.

So the Giants won their first three games. The last time the Giants went 3-0 was in 2000 when they lost Super Bowl XXXV to the Ravens. Do you remember last year when nobody knew if the Patriots got the good Randy Moss or the bad Randy Moss? After the Pats went 3-0, all of that undefeated chatter began. I haven’t seen a Sports Illustrated cover stating that the Giants are going undefeated. Our boys in blue get less respect than Rodney Dangerfield. This game was a back-and-forth offensive showdown that Big Blue was able to pull out in overtime. The Giants have a Bye Week in Week 4 so next on the schedule are the Seattle Seahawks.

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The Giants and the Bengals went back-and-forth all game until time ran out in regulation which forced the game into overtime where the Giants won on a game winning field goal giving Big Blue their third win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

Mathias Kiwanuka, Fred Robbins, and Barry Cofield sacked Carson Palmer on the Bengals’ first play of the game for a loss of 6 yards with 11:04 remaining.

On the same drive, Corey Webster knocked the ball out of Carson Palmer’s hand with 9:48 remaining, but Bobbie Williams fell on the ball to keep it in the Bengals’ possession.

Carson Palmer marched the Bengals 60 yards to the Giants’ 3 yardline during their second possession, but the Giants stopped the Bengals from reaching the end zone so Shayne Graham made a 22-yard Field Goal Attempt giving the Bengals a 3-0 lead with 0:38 remaining.

2nd Quarter

Since this is the first time that the Giants have been losing this year, Eli Manning immediately countered by leading the Giant offense 80 yards down the field and capped it off with a hand off to Brandon Jacobs who leaped over the pile for a 1-yard Touch Down run giving the Giants a 7-3 lead with 10:38 remaining.

Carson Palmer then countered by driving the Bengals 74 yards for another score, and Carson Palmer capped off the drive by handing it off to Chris Perry who broke right side for a 26-yard Touch Down run giving the Bengals a 10-7 lead with 7:20 remaining.

Eli Manning countered again by marching the Giants 51 yards down the field for another score, but the Bengals stopped the Giants from getting into the end zone so John Carney made a 24-yard Field Goal Attempt to tie the game at 10-10 with 3:55 remaining.

Barry Cofield sacked Carson Palmer for a 6-yard loss during the Bengals’ fourth possession with 2:26 remaining.

Also during the Bengals’ fourth possession, Carson Palmer kept this offensive showdown alive by marching the team 80 yards to the Giants’ 4 yardline before getting sacked by Mathias Kiwanuka for a loss of 8 yards on 3rd and 3 which set up a 30-yard Field Goal Attempt that Shayne Graham made with 0:32 remaining giving the Bengals a 13-10 lead.

3rd Quarter

Fred Robbins sacked Carson Palmer for a 10-yard loss during the Bengals’ sixth possession with 11:28 remaining.

During the Giants’ seventh possession, Eli Manning took the Giants to the 30 yardline which was where John Carney made a 46-yard Field Goal Attempt to tie the game at 13-13 with 6:23 remaining.

Dave Tollefson joined the party by sacking Carson Palmer for a loss of 8 on 3rd and 16 with 2:49 remaining which led to a punt.

4th Quarter

The Giants eighth possession began at the 25 yardline.

After the Giant defense made a few stops, Eli Manning took the Giants 67 yards to the 8 yardline where they had to settle for a 26-yard Field Goal Attempt that was made by John Carney which gave the Giants a 16-13 lead with 11:32 remaining.

Carson Palmer countered the Giants score by driving the Bengals 68 yards, and he capped off the drive with a 17-yard strike to T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the middle of the end zone for a Touch Down giving the Bengals a 20-16 lead with 4:39 remaining.

Eli Manning, in a hurry up offense, marched the Giants 68 yards to the 3 yardline where he fired a 3-yard TD pass to a covered and leaping Kevin Boss in the middle of the end zone giving the Giants a 23-20 lead with 1:50 remaining.

Carson Palmer was able to get the Bengals to the 3 yardline to set up a 21-yard Field Goal Attempt which was made by Shayne Graham on their final possession to tie the game at 23-23 with 0:00 remaining.

Overtime

The Giants won the toss and elected to receive, but the Bengals were successful in stopping the Giants from scoring during their first possession.

The Bengals went 3-and-out during their first possession.

The Giants began their second possession at the 29 yardline. Manning hit Burress on the left sideline for a 33-yard gain. After that, aired it out to Toomer along the left sideline who went out of bounds at the 7 yardline for a gain of 31 yards. On 2nd and Goal, John Carney made a 22-yard Field Goal Attempt to win the game by a score of 26-23 with 8:39 remaining.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 26/43 and threw for 289 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs.

Brandon Jacobs led in Rushing Attempts with 14, Derrick Ward led in Rushing Yards with 80.

Steve Smith led in Receptions with 7, and Amani Toomer led in Receiving Yards with 64.

Brandon Jacobs had 1 TD Run, Kevin Boss had 1 TD Reception.

John Carney went 4/4 in Field Goal Attempts.

Antonio Pierce led the team in Tackles with 10.

Fred Robbins had 2 Sacks. Corey Webster, Barry Cofield, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Dave Tollefson each had 1 Sack.

Corey Webster had 1 Forced Fumble.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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So I know you can’t tell much from the first pre-season game but you can definitely get a basic idea of who is the consistent no matter what player on the field. My basic observation of the game begins with Derrick Ward. Not very good in the running game but great in the short pass situation. I think he’ll be a lethal weapon when used in play action plays. He seems to be more of a natural catcher and good at making strides after the catch for more gains. Eli Manning seemed very comfortable in the pocket and I can definitely see that it is all thanks to his offensive line. We’ll see great things from him this season again and spreading the ball around to different wide receivers is going to be every defense’s nightmare. Brandon Jacobs maintains sharpening up his cutting abilities which can only make him more dangerous. This guy is a beast as it is and if he develops more finesse with his run he’ll be more of a main target to defenders. Once this man gets past the second wave of defenders and is left to face the undersized cornerbacks and safeties, you know he’s going helmet to helmet with these guys. Kevin Boss is still the boss and showing why he’s the boss. The type of player who will surprise us the most is going to be this man here. Yes Shockey is gone but if you think we have a good back up, you’re wrong, this guy is a definite starter. A little more work on his blocking ability and we’ll have a well rounded tight end again, or we can depend on Madison Hedgecock. Hedgecock has become the real deal when it comes to blocking. His size is definitely aomething we can take advantage of, especially since he knows how to angle himself and push his own weight around. last but not least, Ahmad Bradshaw is looking very good once again. He has not lost a step since his outstanding performance last season and continues to look more and more like a number 2 running back. It’s amazing how the two punch has become more popular nowadays with the great talent that comes from these young players. Just like Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor from the Jacksonville Jaguars, our two headed monsters will show everyone this season the benefit of vision and power We will soon see everyone in it for some real action. I can only imagine what this season is going to be like for our Giants, but I can tell you we are well prepared for the future.

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The Giants had to go back to work today, unfortunately. Below you will find a bunch of notes and reports assembled by a variety of beat writers. The Giants play their first game on Thursday so make sure you watch it.

The Star-Ledger

• Since Plaxico Burress has been unable to practice, he is contributing as an adviser to the Giants’ young receivers. Plax is taking on the mentor role even if the young guys don’t ask for it.
• Mike Garafolo assembled an in-depth 8/3 morning practice report worth checking out. Below is a sample of the entire report. There’s much more where that came from so go check out the source.
  • DEs Justin Tuck (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (hip), WRs Plaxico Burress (ankle), Amani Toomer (leg), Mario Manningham (groin) and David Tyree (knee/PUP), LBs Zak DeOssie (back) and Gerris Wilkinson (knee/PUP), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia), RT Shane Olivea and S Craig Dahl (knee) did not practice.
  • There we go again: first play of team drills was a bomb. Again from QB Eli Manning to WR Domenik Hixon. Great tackle on the play by CB Aaron Ross. Too bad it was way before the ball got there. That’s a 40-yard pass interference penalty on Ross.
  • QB Anthony Wright and WR Michael Jennings hooked up for deep in.
  • WR Craphonso Thorpe got the crowd excited with a spinning, toe-tapping catch on a fade to the left side from Wright. Dockery was in coverage on the play.
  • Hall ran a nice route to catch a hook from QB Andre’ Woodson in front of Webster. Hall later went deep on Pope, but the ball from Wright was overthrown and out of bounds.
• Mike Garafolo assembled an in-depth 8/3 evening practice report also worth checking out. Below is a sample of the entire report. There’s much more where that came from so go check out the source.
  • WRs Plaxico Burress (ankle), Steve Smith (groin), David Tyree (knee/PUP) and Mario Manninghan (groin), LBs Gerris Wilkinson (knee/PUP) and Danny Clark (sports hernia), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia) and OT Shane Olivea (back) did not practice..
  • CB Corey Webster would have none of WR Domenik Hixon catching a fade on the left side. He stayed all over Hixon and knocked the ball away. Webster also stayed stride for stride on a go from QB David Carr to WR Sinorice Moss. Webster had such good position it almost looked like he was the intended receiver. Webster knocked it away for a PD.
  • Hixon ran a perfect comeback to get separation from CB R.W. McQuarters and make a diving catch. McQuarters bounced back with a PD a few plays later when WR Craphonso Thorpe ran the same pattern.
  • LB Chase Blackburn keeps making plays. I mean, this guy couldn’t get a job after the draft a few years ago and now he’s a steady backup in my mind. Tonight, he stayed with Boss on a post into the end zone and wrestled with him to grab a ball from Wright for an INT.
  • WR Brandon London made his first nice grab in a few days on a skinny post over CB Kevin Dockery. Not a bad ball at all from Woodson. London then did a great job of accelerating to at least get his hands on a deep incompletion from Manning. The ball was overcooked and I didn’t think London had a prayer of getting there, but he dove and almost made the catch after getting past CB Terrell Thomas.
• Plaxico Burress did some light running for the first time since training camp.

Big Blue Blog

• Paul Schwartz assembled his own morning practice notes. Below is a sample of his notes, but there are not too many more.
  • On Manning’s second pass, Ross made another aggressive play, storming in to bat away a pass in the flat. Unfortunately for Ross, the ball was picked out of the air by RB Derrick Ward for a completion.
  • David Carr could not have thrown a better pass on a deep toss to Sinorice Moss, who had a step on two rookies, S Kenny Phillips and CB Terrell Thomas. The ball floated down perfectly to Moss … who watched as it slid right through his arms and to the grass. Moss looked up to the sky in bewilderment.
  • TE Kevin Boss, who has caught virtually everything thus far in camp, could not make the grab on a lunging attempt from Manning over the middle.

Inside the Giants

• Tom Rock believes that Sinorice Moss is basically playing for his Giants career in this camp so he’s been under the microscope this first week and a half. That means every drop is written about, and to be fair, there have been a lot of them. Moss had a pretty good practice tonight.

The Blue Screen

• Mike Garafolo put together another morning report and another evening report.

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