Breaking Down the Return of the New York Giants Running Game

The New York Giants have reestablished themselves in the top tier of everyone's power rankings by reestablishing their running game.

Now, let's check out how they've done it. 

Dedication to the Running Game

You can't run the ball effectively unless you hand it off to someone. I swear that makes sense.

Let me explain it further if that was difficult to follow.

In the Giants' three worst rushing games of 2012, they ran the ball less. Against the Eagles, Buccaneers and Cowboys, they only rushed a total of 63 times for 233 yards.

Against the 49ers, Browns and Panthers, they handed off 100 times for a total of 517 yards. 

It's true that they were down in the three games they ran the ball less, but they were never down by a large amount early to either the Eagles or Cowboys. Had they stuck with the run a little more against Philly, perhaps they could have brought home a win.

The basic tenet of running the football early and often is that you will wear out the opponent's front seven. Once they're breathing heavy, your backs will find wider holes that result in larger gains.

Ahmad Bradshaw Relishes the Dedication

Bradshaw is a player who revels in every hit, and loves the game of football too much to worry about his body. 

Those are the types of running backs that excel with multiple carries.

Backs aren't much different than a significant other. You can't neglect a person for a week and then expect them to ask you how your day went.

It doesn't work that way.

Instead, you have to nurture the rushing attack by giving the offensive line and back time to get in a groove. To feel comfortable.

Then, and only then, will you get the results.

And I'm referring to moving the chains.

Eli Manning Creates Rushing Lanes With His Arm

Whether your buddy admits it or not, Manning is an elite quarterback. And I'm not talking about Peyton.

Eli has been establishing himself for years, but we were all too caught up in the defensive line and his lack of regular season MVPs to notice.

However, defensive coordinators have noticed, and it's given Bradshaw and others room to run. Opposing defenses can't pack the box because of Eli, Victor Cruz and whoever else the Giants decide to split out.  

So there you have it. It's not all that difficult. 

Be willing to give the running backs the ball every now and then, have a back who loves contact, and get a quarterback that scares the opponent.