Giants vs. Bills: New York Grades, Notes and Quotes
The New York Giants headed to Buffalo and beat the Bills at their own game.
Big Blue's defense stifled the Bills, as it contained their high-octane rushing attack and impressive first-year starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the 24-10 victory on Sunday.
The most impressive defensive stand of the afternoon came early in the fourth quarter when the Giants stopped the Bills on a 4th-and-goal from their 1-yard line. The Bills elected to pass, and Taylor hit running back Karlos Williams in the flat. But he was immediately met by J.T. Thomas and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for a turnover on downs.
It was an impressive game on all fronts, as the Giants were underdogs heading into the afternoon and rightfully so. Playing without wide receiver Victor Cruz once again, it seemed unlikely the Giants would be able to muster much offense on the road against the tough Bills defense.
Here's an in-depth breakdown of the Giants' surprising victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, which evened their record to 2-2.
Position Grades for New York Giants
1 of 6
| Position | Grade |
| QB | B+ |
| RB | A- |
| WR | C+ |
| TE | C- |
| OL | B+ |
| DL | B |
| LB | B |
| DB | A- |
| Special Teams | C- |
| Coaching | A |
Quarterback
Eli Manning started off hot, throwing two of his three touchdowns in the first half on Sunday.
Though Manning totaled just 212 yards on the afternoon and tossed his first interception of the season, he managed the game well and used his veteran poise and leadership to propel the Giants to victory.
In a game in which the Giants weren't supposed to be competitive, Manning controlled the offense and led his team to an upset.
Running Backs
The RBs averaged just 3.3 yards per carry yet again, but Rashad Jennings' 51-yard touchdown reception raises the group's grade in a major way.
Jennings' score was the final punch of the afternoon, which sealed the victory for Big Blue. Jennings made a few players miss in what was an impressive bullying run to the end zone off the dump-off from Manning.
Wide Receivers
Odell Beckham Jr. had a quiet afternoon, totaling just 38 yards on five catches. His longest catch of the day was only nine yards, which is a great testament to the defensive backs of Buffalo. While the 22-year-old was held at bay by the Bills secondary, Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris each stepped up.
Both wideouts hauled in a touchdown pass and proved that even when Beckham is bottled up, the Giants can still have a somewhat potent aerial attack. When Victor Cruz does eventually join the mix, the Giants will have several threats to find the end zone on any given play.
Tight Ends
There wasn't a whole lot going on for Larry Donnell, who came away from the game with 38 yards. While he was targeted seven times—second most on the team—none of his five catches was explosive.
Donnell is a slower player who struggles to find yards after the catch. He has reliable hands and is a security blanket in the offense, but he likely won't break off too many big plays, as evidenced by Sunday. As long as he doesn't fumble like he did last season, however, he won't kill the Giants.
Offensive Line
According to ESPN, the Bills recorded only one quarterback hit on Sunday.
For such an excellent defense, that's an incredible stat for the Giants offensive line, which has traditionally been viewed as a weak link in recent seasons.
Though it struggled yet again to create holes for the running backs, its pass protection was excellent, as Manning wasn't rushed or pressured much at all. Rex Ryan defenses usually make life very difficult for the opposing QB, but Manning had enough time to make plays in the victory.
Defensive Line
Defensive end Kerry Wynn recorded eight tackles, including two for a loss. He was a force on the line, wreaking havoc in the running game and getting pressure on Tyrod Taylor.
Also impressive, the Giants kept Taylor in check on scrambles as well. Mobile quarterbacks traditionally torch the Giants, but the defensive line didn't create gaping holes for Taylor to exploit with his feet.
Linebackers
Devon Kennard recorded his first career interception in the first quarter when he ripped the ball away from tight end Charles Clay along the sideline. Fellow linebacker Jonathan Casillas led the team with nine tackles, but that's where the positives end for this corps.
The Giants, who have been destroyed by tight ends this season, allowed Charles Clay to have a field day against them. Clay hauled in nine passes for 111 yards and would have had a touchdown had it not been for a chop block in garbage time that called back his scoring play.
This group has to figure out a way to stop tight ends moving forward.
Defensive Backs
Cornerback Prince Amukamara recovered a fumble late, but this group did far more damage than the scoresheet suggests.
Originally considered a major flaw in the defense, the secondary has played surprisingly well thus far, and Sunday was no different.
Though Sammy Watkins missed the game with a calf injury, Percy Harvin was held in check, tallying 26 yards on the afternoon.
Special Teams
There's nothing worthy of noting by way of kick or punt returns, as the Giants failed to sway the contest or win the field-position battle with special teams.
Kicker Josh Brown missed an extra point, however, which knocks special teams back from an average C to a below-average C-minus.
Coaching
There's just something about defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the New York Giants. Although his other recent coaching stops didn't pan out, he has the magic touch with the Giants defense.
His game plan suffocated the Bills' rushing attack, forcing Tyrod Taylor to try to beat New York with his arm. Though the 26-year-old QB was effective, the Giants forced two turnovers and kept the pressure on all afternoon.
Important Note No. 1: Manning Ties Phil Simms
2 of 6
With Sunday's win in Buffalo, Eli Manning tied Phil Simms' franchise-record 101 victories, including the postseason.
Manning continues to be one of the most underrated superstars in New York sports. As if his two dramatic Super Bowl victories weren't enough, Manning is now starting to rack up the personal statistics that can finally settle the "elite" conversation.
Whether he is as good as his brother Peyton or not, Eli has been a reliable franchise quarterback for over a decade and has put together a remarkable career.
Important Note No. 2: Dwayne Harris Records 1st TD Since 2013
3 of 6
Originally signed to be a factor on special teams, Dwayne Harris came up big for the Giants offense on Sunday.
Though he entered the game with just one catch and 11 yards on the year, Harris tied a team high with five catches and finished second on the team with 51 yards. Additionally, he recorded his first receiving touchdown since Nov. 3, 2013, when he hauled in a pass from Eli Manning and took it to the house for a 21-yard score in the first quarter.
If Harris can continue to be a factor in the receiving game, perhaps the Giants won't have to hold their breath each Sunday to see if Victor Cruz will take the field.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Important Note No. 3: Rashad Jennings Gets 1st Career Receiving TD
4 of 6
Running back Rashad Jennings entered Sunday's contest with just five catches on the season and no career receiving TDs in his five-plus seasons in the league. That all changed on Sunday, as Jennings rattled off an incredible 51-yard touchdown run on a dump-off from Eli Manning.
It resulted in the longest reception of his career and first receiving touchdown.
Jennings had fallen out of favor in the offense a bit in recent weeks, but a big performance in Week 4 against Buffalo may be what he needs to earn more touches in the backfield. Jennings actually led the Giants in receiving with 54 yards on Sunday.
Quote No. 1: Eli Manning
5 of 6
According to the Giants' official Twitter account, Eli Manning said in regard to his team's 2-2 record, "You feel you're back in the mix."
The Giants will be tied for first place if the Dallas Cowboys lose to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football.
With the division seemingly in shambles and nobody pulling away from the pack, the Giants have every reason to believe they are the best team in the NFC East after Sunday's win in Buffalo.
Quote No. 2: Tom Coughlin
6 of 6
"This shows we have grit," head coach Tom Coughlin said, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
Though it is tough to think about what would have happened had they not blown the first two games of the season, it is still impressive the G-Men were able to rebound and right the ship.
The first two games of the season were demoralizing, and New York could be 4-0. But a huge road win against the Bills shows the Giants can respond to adversity and emerge victorious in a hostile environment. New York has traditionally been a franchise that plays well with its back against the wall, and Sunday was no different.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
