Giants Team Grades: Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, November 4^th, 2012

Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers: 24 New York Giants: 20

Giants Team Grades

It was a lackluster performance for the Giants this past weekend against the Steelers, as they were unable to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball and the defense was unable to get timely stops, making for a 24-20 loss to a very good Steelers team. 

Passing Offense Grade: F

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Since playing the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants passing attack has been ice cold.  Eli Manning is struggling and in the midst of a slump but couldn’t even conjure some of his late game magic against the Steelers. 

Manning completed 10 of 24 pass attempts for 125 yards, his lowest output since 2008 against the Minnesota Vikings when he threw for 124 yards but only in one half of play.  Manning also threw an interception and was off on multiple occasions deep to Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

Cruz had a decent game, catching five passes for 67 yards but Nicks only managed one catch for 10 yards.  The Giants need to get the passing game back on track and get Nicks more involved in the offense, as he is finally practicing fully and seems to be getting over early season injuries.

The offensive line also surrendered two sacks and Manning was hit another five times on top of that.

Rushing Offense Grade: D

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If not for an Andre Brown one-yard touchdown rush, this grade would be an F as well.  Brown finished the game with seven carries for only 20 yards and his touchdown.

Ahmad Bradshaw didn’t fare much better, managing only 48 yards on 15 carries.  In total, the Giants only ran for 68 yards on 22 attempts.

The Giants need to get the run game back on track, especially with Manning struggling.  It would be beneficial to the team to get the run game on track so the Giants can control the tempo of the game but also help Manning, as the play action pass is one of the Giants biggest weapons.

Pass Defense Grade: C+

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Ben Roethlisberger didn’t have great stats, but he did just enough to lead the Steelers to a win. Roethlisberger finished the game with 216 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.  Mike Wallace was held in check most of the game until he ripped off a debilitating 51-yard catch and run where he ran across the field and just ran past the whole Giants defense.

The Giants three-headed monster at defensive end did cause problems for the Steelers, as Justin Tuck had two sacks. Jason Pierre-Paul had one and Osi Umenyiora added one of his own.  Umenyiora’s sack caused a fumble, which led to a 70-yard return for a touchdown by Michael Boley.

Rush Defense Grade: F

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For as poorly as the Giants ran the ball, the Steelers did it well.  Isaac Redman was unstoppable, running all over the Giants for 147 yards and a touchdown.  The Giants were unable to get stops in the run game when they needed, as Redman put the game away with his runs inside the red zone in the fourth quarter.

The Giants were without Chase Blackburn, Keith Rivers and Jacquian Williams, but they cannot use that as an excuse; the Giants rush defense needs to improve. 

Special Teams Grade: C-

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Lawrence Tynes continued his strong season, passing 100 total points with a 50 and 23 yard make. But he did miss a 51 yarder short, giving the Steelers a chance to cut into the lead before halftime, which they took advantage of.  Instead of going into halftime up 17-7 or 14-7 at worse, the Steelers got downfield and went into halftime down 14-10.

The coverage teams struggled also, as Steve Weatherford saved an Emmanuel Sanders punt return for a touchdown and Chris Rainey returned a kickoff for 68-yards also.  The usually reliable Giant coverage teams were shaky Sunday.

Coach Grade: D

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The Giants actually went into the fourth quarter winning 20-10, but the problems that were evident throughout the game prior continued and the Steelers kicked it into gear.  The offense got nothing going, while the Steelers were on point even with the bizarre travel schedule they had to endure with the effects of Super Storm Sandy. 

As for the Giants, the play calling and efficiency need to improve.  The Giants went two for 10 on third down and could not get stops on defense when they needed. 

Giants Stifled by Steelers, Blow Late Lead

Sunday, November 4^th 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers: 24 New York Giants: 20

Giants Stifled By Steelers, Blow Late Lead

The Giants were unable to send their fans home happy Sunday afternoon after another lackluster performance led to a 24-20 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  This was the third match-up between 2004 first round draft picks Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger; with Roethlisberger taking a 2-1 lead in the series.  The loss ended the Giants four-game winning streak.

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What is starting to become a troubling trend, Manning struggled for the third game in a row.   Manning completed only 10 of 24 passes for 125 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.  The interception was a killer, as the Manning threw into double coverage on Victor Cruz.  It was disappointing, as Manning had just completed a 26-yard pass to Cruz on the previous play.

Manning missed receivers all afternoon and just never got into a rhythm.  The Giants offensive line had some problems protecting Manning against the Steelers, as Manning got sacked twice and hit another five times.  This was also the first time in 27 games that the Giants were unable to score in the fourth quarter, ending what was the longest active streak in the NFL.

 

The Giants were unable to get anything resembling a run game going against the Steelers, whose defense was on point.  Ahmad Bradshaw managed only 48 yards on 15 carries and Andre Brown ran for only 20 yards on seven carries with a touchdown. 

For as poorly as the Giants run game was, the Steelers’ run game was great.  Isaac Redman ran all over the Giants defense to the tune of 147 yards on 26 carries and scored a touchdown.  Whenever the Steelers needed a play, they would hand the ball off to Redman and he would make it happen.  Redman continuously ran over Giant defenders and was hard to bring down all afternoon.

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The Giants defense was able to contain Roethlisberger though, which was a point of emphasis coming into the game.  Roethlisberger is one of the toughest quarterbacks to get to the ground, routinely making plays because of avoided sacks and improvising.  The Giants got to Roethlisberger for four sacks and brought him down when they got to him.  Justin Tuck had two sacks, Osi Umenyiora had one of his patented strip sacks and Jason Pierre-Paul added one of his own.  Roethlisberger finished the game 21 of 30 for 216 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. 

One of Roethlisberger’s touchdowns was a backbreaker for the Giants, as it never should have occurred. Wide receiver Mike Wallace took a short pass 51 yards for a touchdown as he just out-ran the Giants defense, cutting across the field and up the sideline.  The score put the Steelers back in the game and the Giants were never able to recover, as they went three-and-out on every series the remainder of the game.

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Next up for the Giants is a visit to Cincinnati to play against the Bengals as the Giants continue their trek through the AFC North.  The Giants could be getting some key players back for the game, as safety Kenny Phillips was close to playing this game against the Steelers and linebackers Chase Blackburn, Keith Rivers and Jacquian Williams will all have another week of recovery.

Five Giants Games to Keep Your Eyes On

With the Giants being the reigning Super Bowl champs, every team will be gunning for them.  They also have the toughest schedule in the NFL this upcoming season, so every game will be important for the Giants in their quest to repeat as champs. 

Like every year, divisional games will be crucial.  The Giants get right into divisional play on opening night against the Dallas Cowboys week 1 at MetLife Stadium.  Much like last season, winning the NFC East may be the route to the postseason for the Giants.  Handling business in division is something that playoff teams and Super Bowl contenders do season in and season out. 

Another crucial game for the Giants this season is against the New Orleans Saints during a daunting December stretch of games.  No one is sure how the Saints will look by that time though because of the limbo the franchise is currently in stemming from the Bounty Scandal and the breaking news of potential wiretapping being done by GM Mickey Loomis.  One thing we know for sure is that the Saints will be without mastermind Head Coach Sean Payton.  With that being said, here are five games to keep and eye on and circle on your calendars.

Week 6, Sunday October 14^th @San Francisco 49ers

The Giants return to the Bay Area to play against the 49ers for the 3^rd time in the last 2 seasons. The Giants lost there in the regular season 27-20, but won the NFC Championship Game there on the road to the Super Bowl 20-17 in overtime.  The 49ers will be playing some familiar faces to Giants fans, as the 49ers now employ Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs on their offense.  Last year both meetings went down to the wire and were hard fought games that could have gone either way.  This also is the first game in an 11 game stretch in which the Giants will play post season participants last season or division foes.

Week 9, Sunday November 4^th vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

This match-up pits two of the most respected franchises in the NFL against each other.  Any game that includes a Super Bowl winning quarterback starting for both teams is a big game.  It is also a big game because those two quarterbacks, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger were selected in same draft so they will forever be linked together.  It is also an opportunity to see where the Giants offense is at going up against one of the best defensive units in the NFL.  This game against the Steelers is the first of what is yet another tough November and December for the Giants. 

Week 12, Sunday November 25^th vs. Green Bay Packers

The past two Super Bowl champs meet up for a second consecutive season in the regular season at MetLife Stadium in a Sunday Night Football primetime game.  Last years regular season meeting was a shoot-out with the Packers coming away with the victory 38-35.  The Giants, however, came away with the win in the more important playoff game, shocking the Packers in Lambeau Field in the divisional playoff round handily 37-20.  It will be a tough task for the Giants defense to hold Aaron Rodgers in check for two games in a row. 

Week 15, Sunday December 16^th @ Atlanta Falcons

Yet another rematch from the playoffs last year, the Giants will pay a visit to the Falcons. The Giants dominated the NFC Wildcard game last postseason, dismantling the Falcons 24-2.  This time around it will be a much more difficult match-up outside the friendly confines of MetLife Stadium and visiting the Georgia Dome.  This game is the third-to-last game of the season for the Giants, so winning could be very important in fighting for a playoff spot or for positioning.  This is the first of two very difficult back-to-back road games as the Giants will visit the Baltimore Ravens the following week in what has the potential to either be season defining or season ruining games. 

Week 17, Sunday December 30^th vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Since taking over as Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it a point to have meaningful games throughout the season.  The solution to this was having divisional games for every team the last week of the season.  Last year the Giants faced the Cowboys for the NFC East title on the last weekend of the season, and it is very possible they could be heading for the same thing this season.  Having the hardest schedule in the NFL, it is conceivable that winning the division may be the route the Giants take into the playoffs.  Beating the Eagles would go a long way in helping that cause, especially at home.  It would be a nice victory for the Giants haven’t beaten the Eagles at home since 2007.  We all remember what happened when the NFC East title was on the line in 2010 when the Eagles visited the Giants.