The Super Bowl XLII rematch started slowly, but both teams saved their points for the second half, leading to an ending that was eerily similar to the 2008 encounter. Quarterback Eli Manning led the New York Giants to a go-ahead and game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, trumping QB Tom Brady’s last minute heroics. Brady, like Manning, saved his best for last as the New England Patriots scored a touchdown to take the lead with 1:36 to go in the game. Ultimately though Manning turned around and drove the Giants down the field with the help of a 20 yard pass interference penalty as well as tight end Jake Ballard’s best David Tyree impersonation.
With the win, the Giants open up a two game lead in the competitive NFC East as they move to 6-2. Even the critics, who cited a weak schedule for their strong start to the season, must be impressed by the road victory. The Patriots fall to 5-3 and find themselves in a three way tie for first in the AFC East. They have now lost two in a row for the first time since 2009 and hit the road for a showdown with the red hot New York Jets next Sunday night.
Let’s look at how that happened.
Three Performances of Note – New York Giants
Revenge of the Undrafted
With the Giants missing their two biggest playmakers in running back Ahmad Bradshaw and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, two undrafted free agents provided the spark for the offense. Both WR Victor Cruz (+3.0) and TE Jake Ballard (+2.2) were passed over in the 2010 draft, but they’re making teams pay here in 2011. Cruz came into the game as the leader in our Signature Stat Yards Per Route Run (YPRR) and he didn’t disappoint, catching six of nine balls thrown his way for 91 yards. After doing most of his work out of the slot this season, Cruz played outside in 2-WR formations and showed the ability to run the deep out routes the Giants love. One of the prettiest passes you’ll see takes place at the 3:54 mark in the third quarter, as Cruz takes cornerback Kyle Arrington inside, before setting him up for the 20 yard out. With Arrington spun around, Manning hits Cruz on the sideline from the far hash mark. An even more impressive play given the pressure from DT Vince Wilfork. Ballard made his presence felt in the fourth quarter, particularly on 3rd-and-10 with 1:07 to go in the game. He ran a seam route and his leaping catch over two defenders not only saved the game, but also gave Patriots’ fans flashbacks of past miraculous third down catches by Manning’s receivers. Ballard topped it off with the game winning touchdown in the corner of the end zone with only 15 seconds to go. Remember Kevin Boss? Giants fans are quickly forgetting.
Pushed Around Inside
As mentioned in the “Three to Focus On” this week, the Giants’ three interior lineman had a chance to get pushed around by the Patriots’ big defensive tackles. It went as predicted as LG David Diehl (-1.7), C Kevin Boothe (-2.2), and RG Chris Snee (-2.2) all underperformed. Boothe filled in for starter David Baas, and his struggles started with the snap. Whether snapping into his own buttocks from under center or rolling a ground ball to Manning in the shotgun, it was not a great day for the backup. Snee meanwhile hasn’t put together a positive grade since Week 3 and he had his issues with Wilfork. Until this game, Manning had fared well in the face of pressure, but he can’t be expected to make off balance throws with defensive linemen in his face all season.
Kiwanuka’s Versatility
Generally viewed as a pass rush specialist, LB Mathias Kiwanuka’s athleticism allows him to play a number of roles on the Giants’ defense. He graded at +3.6 Run Def and made his presence felt on the Patriots’ second drive with 5:59 to play in the first quarter. On 3rd-and-1, the Giants stacked the line and Kiwanuka shot the gap to tackle RB Danny Woodhead for a loss. He then showed some awareness while playing zone on the first play of the second quarter as Brady’s poor throw was tipped by LB Michael Boley and Kiwanuka was there to pick up the interception and return it another nine yards. It was not his strongest day as a pass rusher, but on 3rd-and-8 with 11 seconds to go in the first half, his blitz forced Brady into an errant throw on his corner route to TE Aaron Hernandez. There was a time when the Giants seemed not to know what to do with Kiwanuka. That time seems to have passed.
Three Performances of Note – New England Patriots
Outside WRs
Everyone loves to discuss “blueprints” for slowing down the great teams, and while those discussions are often over exaggerated, Patriots’ opponents are clearly building on each other’s past successes. The Patriots’ passing game has struggled in recent weeks and the common theme is press coverage and a crowded middle of the field. Teams are daring Brady’s outside WRs to make plays and they have not been up to the challenge. Wide receivers Deion Branch (-1.0 Pass) and Chad Ochocinco (-0.1) combined to catch two of nine balls thrown their way, and Brady was 2 for 8 for 36 yards on balls thrown outside the numbers beyond 10 yards. Branch generally excels against zone coverage and he has had a difficult time gaining separation from the tight man coverage, while Brady and Ochocinco look like they’re speaking completely different languages. Ochocinco runs the out route and Brady throws the corner. Brady throws the deep out, and Ochocinco makes his break too late. Ochocinco finally gets separation on the deep post, and Brady throws late and into coverage. It’s not as if New England’s passing game cannot move the ball, but as teams take away their staple plays, they need someone on the outside who can beat one on one coverage.
Edge Rushers Produce
The Patriots are not known for an explosive pass rush off the edge, but the defensive ends came through on Sunday. DE Andre Carter (+2.1) led the way and continued his pace as New England’s best defender in 2011. He picked up three QB Hits and five Hurries on only 35 rushes, and his pressure on Manning forced an interception in the end zone. Carter wasn’t alone as LB Rob Ninkovich (+1.7 Rush) and DE Mark Anderson (+2.0 Rush) contributed as DEs in the Nickel package. Anderson also made an outstanding play, swatting a Manning pass while dropping into coverage on a rare zone blitz from New England. In a season of inconsistency, if New England can get the edge rushers to produce at the same time the DTs are pushing the pocket, they may have a chance to protect their young, inexperienced secondary.
Leigh Bodden to Antwaun Molden to Phillip Adams?
Who is Phillip Adams? Patriots’ fans have been looking for the answer for two weeks now. After CB Leigh Bodden was surprisingly shown the door, Antwaun Molden took his place last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Molden made it through three quarters before getting benched, and it was Phillip Adams’ turn to assume the role of nickel CB. Adams (-3.6) did not fare much better this week as he missed two tackles and gambled on a short pass to WR Ramses Barden which led to a first down. Adams actually played fairly tight in coverage, but due to his tackling issues, he was the worst defender on a good New England defense Sunday.
Game Notes
– Manning came into the game leading all QBs in Accuracy % when pressured. On Sunday he was only 5 for 17 for 68 yards and a 38.8 QB Rating.
-The Giants played with at least five defensive backs on all 78 snaps.
-OT Nate Solder played 23 snaps, all as an extra TE.
PFF Game Ball
It has to be Victor Cruz. Athletic and skillful but displayed a range of excellent route running skills and moves to get separation in this game. Made plays that turned the game.
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