A great win for the Giants in a very entertaining game. With two of their better players out of the lineup, the Giants’ depth really stepped up in a 37-29 win. Dominik Hixon had his second prolific day in subbing for Plax, catching six passes and being an absolute monster on returns (206 return yards), nearly returning two for sevens. One particular catch typified what Hixon is about and why I know the Giant coaching staff loves this guy. On the next to final drive, the Giants were faced with a third and twelve from the Cards’ 30 yard line. Hixon caught a ball about a yard away from the markers then fought through two Cardinal defenders to pick it up. That setup a easier FG attempt and gave them that always comfortable two score lead.
The other player stepping up his game was Eli Manning. With Jacobs out and the Cards keying on Derrick Ward, Manning completed nearly 80% of his passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns. People have been whispering about Manning slumping over last month. But who needs great stats when you are running the ball so effectively? You knew there would be a game where the opposition would shut down the run and Manning would have to win a game for the Giants. No surprises here, as Manning was up to the task.
Defensively, the Giants were both aggressive with their jams on the Cardinals very fine wideouts and also with their blitz packages on Kurt Warner. Warner still throws one of the prettiest balls in the league, but all you need is pressure to rattle him. I thought the Giants’ secondary was very active and do I dare say, despite the stats, played their best game of the season? They seemed around the ball all afternoon. Aaron Ross, in particular, played extremely well. To hell with those four penalties called on him. I thought every one was a bogus call given to the offensive player. Kenny Philips, again, impressing, especially with that knock away of a Fitzgerald touchdown. The exciting thing about the secondary is the youth back there.
The Cardinals are a good team headed in the right direction, especially with their head coach Ken Wisenhunt. I do think he made a tactical error however in the final period with four minutes left after they scored a TD to make it 34-26. With two timeouts left, Wisenhunt decided to onside kick, and although it was perfectly executed, the Giants got the ball and a short field to work with to again take a two score lead. The better option there, IMO, was to send it deep with a kicker who is capable of a touchback and let your defense try and force a three-and-out. Now I know the Cards only had one legit three-and-out the entire game (actually, the first series), but given the low rate of onside recoveries, I think that was better move. Wisenhunt does earn points for kicking a FG on first down with 30 seconds remaining, allowing himself time to operate had they recovered their final onside kick of the day, which predictably, went unsuccessful as well.
