Eli Manning, Defense Lead Giants to Win Over Dallas Cowboys in Divisional Playoff

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

The third time was a charm for the N.Y. Giants. Playing in this NFC Divisional Playoff game to prevent a three-game sweep at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants turned to mistake-free football (no turnovers and only three penalties) and their defense (keep reading) to beat the Cowboys 21-17.

What the injury riddled Giants’ defense accomplished against the third best offense in the NFL this past season was incredible. They were truly a bend-but-don’t-break D today giving up 336 total yards but only 17 points. They were on the field for 36:30. Late in the game, hands on hips, the Giants’ D was spent. But they dug deep.

It wasn’t even fair. Several times the N.Y. offense had the football with a chance to burn time and preserve the victory and couldn’t even make a first down, thus putting their tired defense on the field yet again. Everything was pointing to a late Dallas rally to pull this game out, but the Giants defense wouldn’t have it. What an outstanding effort.

I would be remiss to not mention the excellent play of Giants QB Eli Manning. In this game, Eli was 12 of 18 for 163 yards, two TDs and most importantly, no interceptions. But the past three games, Eli has been off the charts — a 122 passer rating with eight touchdowns and only one INT. This is the Eli Manning we’ve been waiting to see. This is the Eli Manning we were wondering if we would ever see. He is truly leading the N.Y. Giants and showing that it is possible to win a lot of football games by “managing” those games. I know that term is thrown around a lot, but I’m a big believer in understanding the personnel you have to work with, taking what the defense gives you and being smart with the football. Nobody expects Eli Manning to be perfect, but lately he’s been pretty close to it and that’s why the Giants are winning games in January.

Tony Romo, on the other hand, did not manage this football game well. I’m certainly not going to put all the blame on Tony’s shoulders (plenty of other online and print publications will do that) and throw him under the bus, but some of his decision-making in the 4th quarter was terrible. Under heavy pressure from a ferocious N.Y. pass rush, he collapsed — taking sacks instead of throwing the ball away, making poor throws, committing an intentional grounding penalty and looking just plain flustered. But he had help losing this game. There were receivers dropping passes (see Patrick Crayton). Pass protection broke down late in the game. The Cowboys’ running game was virtually non-existent in the second half. And special teams tackling left something to be desired. Yes, there’s plenty of blame to go around.

Ultimately, the Cowboys were not able to turn their poor late season play off and turn on the aspects that earned them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I hope Terrell Owens has his popcorn ready because he’ll be watching the NFC Championship game from home with the rest of his teammates. As for the Giants, it’s hard to argue with their road record. Now 10-1 away from Giants Stadium, they’ll get another chance at Lambeau Field against a very good Green Bay Packers team. It will rightfully be their toughest test yet.