The Giants finally got into the win column for the first time since the opening preseason game as they feasted on a hapless Vikings team. While this game was far from being aesthetically pleasing, the Giants defense, which has been so maligned this season, pitched a shutout (the Vikings lone score was a punt return for a touchdown) and the offense stayed mostly out of trouble. The G-Men will take them any way they can get them at this juncture of the season. And besides, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Easy Eli: His numbers weren’t gaudy (23-39/200 YDs/1 TD) and he was victimized by a couple of drops. But the bottom line is, he didn’t turn the ball over, and when the Giants win the turnover battle, they usually win. Eli was content with being methodical and it looked like the kind of Giants offense that fans are used to seeing. He didn’t have to force throws, and for the most part, he stayed away from the type of play that defined his season up to this point. There were a couple throws that he was lucky that the Vikings didn’t make plays on, but that’s what he is: He’s going to make coaches and fans peek through their fingers or scream to the high heavens from time to time. It didn’t come back to haunt him, and he played a solid and perfectly unspectacular game.
Josh Freeman, on the Other Hand…:…was incredibly awful. Making his Vikings debut, he may have proven Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano absolutely correct. Freeman completed just 37 percent of his passes, and most of them weren’t even in the remote vicinity of his receivers. The Giants were making sure that Adrian Peterson wasn’t going to run, and Freeman played right into their hands. The Vikings are clearly in the Bridgewater/Boyd/Manziel market come May, because if they were planning on Josh Freeman being helped by a change of scenery, it certainly didn’t show any signs of getting better tonight. He helped make this a much easier night than it rightfully should have been.
The Other Peyton: Peyton Hillis came to the Giants last Wednesday and made an immediate impact. Nothing he did was flashy, but he came in and gave Manning a steady hand out of the backfield at a time where they are just looking for warm bodies to make a play here and there. He chipped in with some nice catches on screens and moved piles repeatedly. For a team that has done nothing really well in any facet, Hillis gave them great work in keeping them in shorter third-down situations than the Giants have had all year. He even chipped in with a touchdown that effectively put the game out of reach for the woeful Vikings. Not a bad night of work for a guy who has some reputation repair work to do if he wants to stay in the NFL.
Beason is a Man: Jon Beason is a heck of a football player and he’s giving the GM Jerry Reese something to think about for next year and beyond. It’ll be hard to do when you consider the team’s bleak salary cap situation, but he’s earning himself a job (and big money) somewhere. He’s stabilized the linebacker position and he’s clearly had the entire defense playing better since he joined the team. His stay here is more than likely just temporary, but he’s making a very good impression.
Up Next: The Giants will travel down the turnpike for their second meeting against the Eagles. Could the Giants find themselves on an actual winning streak as they go into their bye? Won’t have to wait long to find out since it’s already Tuesday.
Thanks for Reading. You can follow @CMB1979 on twitter for your NFL needs, and the follow the site @lastwordonsport while you are at it and please take a moment to like our Facebook Page.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
