No Plax? No Problem: New York Giants' Air Attack and Defense Lead to Victory

OK, the title may be a bit misleading, but Giants' fans don't look like homers anymore.

It seems like us and the organization were the only people buying into the group the team was going to shell out every week.

We have been vindicated.

In a brilliantly balanced bundle of passes to seven different receivers (yes, the alliteration was absolutely necessary), Eli Manning proved that a year and training camp with the group is all he needed.

Now all he needs to do is have the same type of production on a consistent basis.

The worrisome fact about this game is that they still struggled to punch it in to the end zone, but that was mainly the running attack's fault, as they failed two straight 3rd and 1's deep in Redskin territory, as well as a 4th and 1 on the second trip.

If they are going to be Super Bowl contenders, zero TDs in three trips to the red zone has to be unacceptable.

Several of the Giants fans on this site who have been watching the preseason games have noticed Manning and Mario Manningham were developing unmatched chemistry. It seems like that will carry forth into the regular season.

Manningham had three catches for 58 yards, including a fantastic 30 yard touchdown catch that included juking defenders and tight roping the sideline for an acrobatic score to say the least.

Manningham shined along with Steve Smith, who apparently was fooling all of us with his questionable preseason performances. Smith ended with six catches for 80 yards.

Smith came up with several big third down catches to keep drives alive, including a beautiful over-the-shoulder 26-yard catch with a defender draped over him on a 3rd and 5 that would set up the late field goal to put the game out of reach.

Other than the two drives ended by the halves and the drive where Eli threw his only interception, the Giants never went three and out, something they should be very proud of.

The running game was not up to the team's usual standars, but Ahmad Bradshaw showed flashes of brilliance as he piled up 60 yards on 12 carries.  The team racked up 103 yards on the ground, forcing Albert Haynesworth to eat his words.

The team is going to be successful by extending drives, running the ball, and controlling the clock—which is what they did on Sunday, holding the ball for just over 12 minutes longer than the 'Skins.

In case you missed the game, allow me to share the defensive performance in one word: Dominant.

Other than the first play from scrimmage which was a 34-yard run by Clinton Portis, the defense shut down the Redskins rushing game. All in all, they still only rushed for 85 yards.

It would be unfair to disregard the attempt by the Redskins to get back in the game, but their last drive basically doesn't count. They marched 72 yards on seven plays for a touchdown when the game was basically a miracle away from turning in their favor.

In fact, if it weren't for a bone head play by our special teams allowing a fake field goal for a TD at the end of the first half, the game wouldn't have been this close at the end.

What a way for Osi Umenyiora to come back. In the second quarter, Umenyiora stripped Jason Campbell, picked up the ball and took it to the house to extend the Giants' lead to 17.

Bill Sheridan has been preaching to the defense that they need to cause more turnovers and they seem to be listening. Along with the fumble, Corey Webster had a beautiful interception while shadowing Santana Moss.

Anyone else love it when Webster put Moss on the ground in their little altercation?  The two players showed class and professionalism, however, and were seen shaking hands later in the game.

Filling in for Michael Boley, Chase Blackburn played very well after missing Portis on the opening play. He led the Giants with eight tackles.

Justin Tuck must be fully recovered from his injuries that lingered in 2008, he had 1.5 sacks and was in Campbell's face all day.

If the defense plays like this every week, they should win several games.

All in all there were few weaknesses to point out besides the two turnovers by Eli Manning; if he can correct those issues, this is a very scary ball club.