The Giants had a host of issues going against them on Sunday. First, there was the whole Plaxico issue that surfaced on Saturday morning. The Redskins in almost a must win situation. Hostile setting. The Sean Taylor tribute. Fred Robbins, their key DT, not playing against Clinton Portis. Lousy weather. Despite all that, the Giants convincingly stuffed Washington 23-7.
With the run game slowed due to some good Redskins defense and a slick turf, Eli Manning continued to shine. Shaking off the bad weather, he threw for over 200 yards in the first half and finished with his first 300 yard game of the year. The passing game didn’t seem to miss a beat without Burress for a second straight week and it really appeared that the Giants were toying with the Skins at times. The only possible criticism could be the Giants’ bogging down in the redzone and settling for three pointers. Interestingly, Manning’s three best games this year have been without Burress. Coincidence or not? Defensively, I continue to be impressed with our secondary. Webster and Ross are really doing a great job and rookie Terrell Thomas is getting more and more time. All three safeties continue to be active as well. These last two weeks I’ve just had the feeling that every pass play was going to be contested.
So, with Plax suspended for the rest of the season and playoffs, it will be interesting to see how this offense performs. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am very high on Domink Hixon. But can the trio of Hix, Toomer, and Smith (with Moss sprinkled in) give the Giants enough to be a championship team from an offensive standpoint? The Giants don’t get to the Super Bowl without Plax last year, as he teamed with Eli to dominate the Packers. Plax was pretty quiet in the other playoff games, but we know just his presence opens up so many other opportunities in the passing game. So what will be the difference? Eli Manning. Manning has paid his dues in this complicated offense and now has a complete grasp of it and what other teams are doing. I remember Phil Simms saying it one time – that a QB just “sees” it one day and it finally all makes sense. Eli’s there, and his play and decision making are going to be key moving forward.
