Big bucks went a long way in fixing a unit that allowed 52 points and surrendered seven touchdown passes to Brees and the Saints a year ago in a 52-49 win by New Orleans. The Saints had 103 on 26 carries last season.
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Next Week: The Saints entertain the Atlanta Falcons on MNF while the Giants will host the Washington Redskins.
The Giants dominated the first half, but they were in danger of falling behind just before halftime when James Laurinaitis recovered Manning’s fumble at the NY 25 after he was sacked by Michael Mauti.
Actually, they don’t, which may be the best thing about the 2016 Giants. Shane Vereen was stuffed on a pair of runs up the middle and Manning’s third-down pass was batted down.
Bill Parcells, who is a New York Giants legend and Super Bowl champion, is also the prime mentor of Sean Payton. “I see that progressing as the season goes on”.
No one would have blamed the Saints if this game would have turned out different after Williams went down. While the Giants still have to work on covering check downs to opposing slot receivers and tight ends, the defensive has still looked good.
Both Quarterbacks were able to move the ball and throw for over 300 yards, but Brees was the only one to throw a TD, and he did it only once. The Black and Gold forced three turnovers in the second quarter, but failed to capitalize off any of them. In the previous four meetings between the teams, the victor had scored at least 48 points. Crawley displayed tremendous competitive spirit that will earn him big points, staying with the play, pursuing the speedy Cruz, forcing a fumble and DeVante Harris recovered at the New Orleans 17-yard line to kill the threat.
The Giants did an outstanding job of keeping the Saints’ receivers in front of them. After holding Ezekiel Elliot to just about 2.5 yards per attempt last week, Olivier Vernon and co. once again clogged the lanes against the Saints, holding them to 41 rushing yards on 13 attempts.
Steve Spagnuolo, who coordinated the Saints defense in 2012 and was promptly fired, was coordinating the Giants offense against the Saints.
Giants kicker Josh Brown, making his return from a one-game suspension, was in the spotlight in the biggest moment of Sunday’s game against the Saints.
In ordinary circumstances, the team’s inability to put points on the board against the high-scoring Saints would have added up to a loss.
Folks, the Saints are going to have trouble this week.
The Saints had the Giants right where they wanted them, but after a relatively quiet day, Victor Cruz made the play of the game for NY, catching a 34-yard pass from Eli Manning inside the Saints’ five yard line.
As bad as the New Orleans’ defense is, Brees has the ability to keep them in any game.
“I don’t think we were coming in here expecting to score 52 …”
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The line opened at 3 and has since climbed to 5-5 ½. But I feel like I’m picking it up and getting more comfortable.
